Enhancing wear performance of nickel-based superalloys through a dual-step surface treatment approach combined laser shock peening and chemical mechanical polishing

In high-end manufacturing, nickel-based single-crystal superalloys components often face severe wear conditions, placing stringent demands on wear resistance. Here, we demonstrate that while laser shock peening strengthens metallic surfaces, its combinations with chemical mechanical polishing is essential for substantial wear resistance enhancement. The post-polishing surface exhibits reduced surface roughness, preserves the strengthened layer and eliminates defects induced by the strengthening process. This defect-free surface configuration lowers actual contact stress, minimizes oxidative wear, and enhances interfacial stability, yielding a approximately 50% enhancement in wear resistance attributable to the synergistic interplay of strengthened mechanical properties and optimized surface topography. The proposed approach establishes a new paradigm for surface integrity optimization in next-generation high-performance components operating under extreme service conditions.