Since the extreme service conditions, the serious failure problems caused by wear and corrosion are often encountered in the service process for aeronautical components. Laser shock processing (LSP) is a novel surface-strengthening technology to modify microstructures and induce beneficial compressive residual stress on the near-surface layer of metallic materials, thereby enhancing mechanical performances. In this work, the fundamental mechanism of LSP was summarized in detail. Several typical cases of applying LSP treatment to improve aeronautical components’ wear and corrosion resistance were introduced. Since the stress effect generated by laser-induced plasma shock waves will lead to the gradient distribution of compressive residual stress, microhardness, and microstruture evolution. Due to the enhancement of microhardness and the introduction of beneficial compressive residual stress by LSP treatment, the wear resistance of aeronautical component materials is evidently improved. In addition, LSP can lead to grain refinement and crystal defect formation, which can increase the hot corrosion resistance of aeronautical component materials. This work will provide significant reference value and guiding significance for researchers to further explore the fundamental mechanism of LSP and the aspects of the aeronautical components’ wear and corrosion resistance extension.

As a progressive surface-hardening technology, laser shock processing (LSP) can enhance the mechanical properties and extend fatigue life for metallic components through laser-generated high-pressure plasma shock waves. In this work, LSP was used to treat titanium alloy Ti-13Nb-13Zr experimental coupons, and the microstructural response and surface mechanical properties of the Ti-13Nb-13Zr experimental coupons were investigated. After the LSP treatment, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks were shifted without any new phase formation. The surface roughness of the experimental coupons increased, which can be explained by the LSP-induced severe plastic deformation. The LSP treatment effectively enhanced the surface compressive residual stress of Ti-13Nb-13Zr. Meanwhile, the microhardness of the Ti-13Nb-13Zr was also obviously increased after the LSP treatment. The experimental results also showed that the number of shocks times is an important factor in the improvement of surface mechanical properties. LSP treatment with multiple shocks can lead to more severe plastic deformation. The surface roughness, surface compressive residual stress and microhardness of the Ti-13Nb-13Zr experimental coupons shocked three times are higher than those after one shock. What is more, grain refinement accounts for the mechanical properties’ enhancements after the LSP treatment.

In this chapter, we delve into the fabrication of cost-effective, high-performance titanium alloys, highlighting the raw powder and post-processing perspectives. Firstly, compared to high-cost atomized spherical powder, the irregular hydride-dihydride (HDH) Ti powder with low price began to be applied to additive manufacturing (AM) after modification. We are committed to reporting recent work on powder modification for AM. Here, the modification techniques, such as ball milling, jet milling, and fluidization, are described in the section. The mechanical properties, structure, and cost of titanium alloys prepared by traditional spherical powders are compared in detail. Secondly, the post-treatment, such as laser peening shock (LSP) treatment of AMed titanium alloy is also summarized. In summary, this chapter presents a review of the history of research and future prospects for the preparation of low-cost, high-performance titanium alloys.