Fabrication and performance of wear-corrosion resistant hydrophobic surfaces on TC4 titanium alloy via alumina particle-assisted laser shock peening

TC4 titanium alloy is widely used in aerospace and marine environments, where surface wettability and corrosion resistance are critical. To address these challenges, a novel alumina particle-assisted laser shock peening (PLSP) process is developed. This method employs laser-induced plasma shockwaves to embed alumina particles from sandpaper into the TC4 surface, simultaneously achieving microtexture fabrication and strain strengthening. When combined with low-surface-energy modification using perfluorooctyltrichlorosilane (PFOTS), the approach effectively enhances hydrophobicity, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. Experimental results indicate that the specimen processed with 1000-grit sandpaper exhibited a 27.6% increase in contact angle relative to the base material (BM), which further increased to 121.2° after chemical modification. Moreover, the contact angle remained at 96.3° even after 16 wear cycles, indicating robust durability. In terms of electrochemical behavior, the PLSP-treated specimen demonstrated a 50.1% reduction in corrosion current density and a 243.7% increase in charge transfer resistance compared to the BM. Mechanistic analysis reveals that the improved performance originates from surface micro-protrusions and residual compressive stress, which collectively delay wear initiation and impede Cl − penetration. This technology overcomes the limitations of conventional sequential processes for hydrophobic surface fabrication and mechanical strengthening, establishing a new integrated functional–structural manufacturing paradigm for high-performance, wear-resistant hydrophobic surfaces.