Surface Integrity and Fatigue Performance of Laser Shock Peened VT6 Titanium Alloy

The influence of the laser radiation power density during laser shock peening (LSP) of the titanium alloy Ti–6Al–4V (VT6) on the properties of the surface layer—geometry, microhardness, degree of riveting, residual stress level, and microstructure—is studied. Comparative fatigue characteristics of samples strengthened under different laser shock peening modes are presented. A fractographic analysis is carried out, and the relationship between the laser shock peening modes and the depth of fatigue crack initiation is established.