The objective of the present study was to estimate the influence of laser shock peening on the fatigue properties of AA2024-T3 specimens with a fastener hole and to investigate the possibility to heal the initial cracks in such specimens. Fatigue cracks of different lengths were introduced in the specimens with a fastener hole before applying laser shock peening. Deep compressive residual stresses, characterized by the hole drilling method, were generated into the specimens by applying laser shock peening on both sides. Subsequently, the specimens were subjected to fatigue tests. The results show that laser shock peening has a positive effect regarding the fatigue life improvement in the specimens with a fastener hole. In addition, laser shock peening leads to a healing effect on fatigue cracks. The efficiency of this effect depends on the initial crack length. The effect of laser shock peening on the fatigue life periods was determined by using resonant frequency graphs.

Effect of laser shock peening on the fatigue life of an OT4-0 titanium alloy is studied. Laser peening is carried out using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser operating at a pulse repetition rate of 10 Hz. It is suggested by the analysis of the effect of various laser treatment parameters on the magnitude and distribution of residual stresses over the sample thickness that an optimal type of laser shock treatment makes it possible to create a compressive residual stress region whose depth reaches up to 1 mm and whose maximum value is 600 MPa. The results of the study of the fracture surface structure show that the fatigue fracture mechanism changes, while the service life of samples significantly increases during both low- and high-cycle fatigue after laser shock peening.