Aluminium alloy 5083 was subjected to Laser Shock Peening both with (LSP) and without protective coating (LPwC) at multiple pulse densities. A second LPwC treatment was conducted fully submersed under water, in addition to the standard laminar water flow condition. The results show that compressive residual stresses were generated in all cases, although their character varied depending on the peening strategy and method of confinement. In all cases, higher pulse density lead to an increase in compressive stresses with a saturation point of −325 MPa at 1089 p/cm² for the LPwC treatments. Corrosion fatigue testing of sensitized samples then showed 59% and 69% improvement in fatigue strength after the LSP and LPwC treatments, respectively.

The austenitic steel 15-15Ti is being considered as one of the candidate materials for internal structural components of future heavy liquid metal (HLM) nuclear systems. This work studies the steel compatibility with liquid PbBi. Constant extension rate tensile (CERT) tests of tapered specimens were used to study sensitivity to liquid metal embrittlement (LME) and crack initiation. The taper creates a variation of stress along the gauge length which allows the identification of the stress and strain for the crack appearance. Testing was performed in air and in PbBi with 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻¹² wt % oxygen content at 300 °C. Post-test observation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) highlighted the crack morphology. An evaluation of the environmental effect on the crack initiation is presented.

Laser shock peening (LSP) is an innovative surface treatment technique for strengthening metallic materials. The treatment improves fatigue performance and is achieved by introducing compressive residual stresses into the material surface layer. The compressive stresses are created over a significant surface area by means of high pressure shock waves, which are generated by confining the laser-induced plasma. In the present study, the LSP effect on fatigue life of austenitic stainless steels was investigated by changing the laser parameters. The tested material was austenitic stainless steel 08CH18N10T. The influence of LSP treatment on the fatigue life was examined through the three-point bend fatigue test.

The aim of this study was to verify the laser shock peening (LSP) on the microstructure of P265GH steel and X6CrNiTi18-10 stainless steel. The LSP surface treatment was done underwater on the dis-similar weld joint of the P265GH and X6CrNiTi18...