Mechanisms of life enhancement by laser shock peening surface treatment

The complex interplay of Laser Shock Peening (LSP) processing parameters on surface states (work hardening, sub-surface residual stress distributions) and the subsequent resistance to corrosion pitting and early stages of fatigue crack growth needs to be evaluated. Understanding pit development and subsequent crack initiation via data-rich mechanistic interpretations will then feed back into physics based LSP processing optimisation. The effect of subsequent LSP (using both solid and conventional overlays) onto pre-existing corrosion pitting and/or early fatigue crack growth will also be evaluated in aluminium alloys of interest to Airbus.