Improving Friction Stir Welds Using Laser Peening

  • Magazine Article
  • TBMG-23416
Published February 01, 2014 by Tech Briefs Media Group in United States
Language:
  • English

Friction stir welding (FSW) has emerged as a promising solid-state process with encouraging results, particularly when used on high-strength aerospace aluminum alloys that are generally difficult to weld. Laser peening has been applied to the mechanical and fatigue properties of welded joints. Laser peening introduces a compressive residual stress at the surface that can extend several millimeters or deeper into the material. These residual stresses resulting from laser peening can be significantly higher and deeper than for conventional shot peening, resulting in superior mechanical and fatigue properties in FSW.