Laser Shock Peening Improves the Corrosion Resistance of an E690 High-Strength Steel Cladding Layer

To investigate the effect of laser shock peening parameters on the corrosion resistance of an E690 high-strength steel cladding layer, NVE690 high-strength steel powder was selected for testing at various power densities of pulse lasers. The surface roughness and residual stress of the treated samples were measured, and the microstructure morphology of the sample surface was observed. The electrochemical corrosion tests were conducted with an electrochemical workstation to measure the electrometer polarization, obtain the impedance curve, and observe the electrochemical corrosion. As the laser power density increased, the surface grains of the E690 high-strength steel cladding layer continued to refine until nanocrystals formed, and the residual compressive stress on the surface increased. The residual compressive stress on the surface rendered the passivation film stable and dense; furthermore, the refinement of surface grains inhibited the initiation and propagation of microcracks. The positive shift of the corrosion potential increased from −1.004 to −0.771 V, the corrosion current density decreased from 114.5 to 5.41 μA/cm2, the radius of the impedance spectrum curve increased, and the peeling pits, as well as corrosion micropores on the surface, gradually became no longer evident after electrochemical corrosion. After laser shock treatment, the corrosion resistance of the cladding layer sample was substantially improved.