The Influence of Absorbing Coating Material on the Efficiency of Laser Shock Peening

Laser shock peening (LSP) is a relatively novel and promising surface hardening method. An absorbing layer, which is needed to protect the specimen surface from undesirable thermal effects caused by laser irradiation, should be considered as one of many varying parameters. The physical characteristics of the coating and its adhesion to the specimen surface can significantly influence the result of LSP. In this study, three commonly used absorbing coatings, namely black polyvinylchloride tape with a sticky layer, aluminum foil, and black alkyd paint were used to cover three-millimeter-thick plates of the Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy with globular or lamellar microstructures. LSP of one side of the plates was carried out with a power density of 10 GW/cm2. The hole drilling method was used to evaluate residual stresses. The aluminum foil was found to be the optimal option for LSP of the Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy. Microstructural investigations carried out using EBSD analysis suggested that no significant reduction in grain size, twinning, or dislocation density growth occurred as a result of LSP irrespective of the initial structure.