PROBLEM
Traditional laser shock peening, or LSP, improves a metal’s material properties like resistance to fatigue and corrosion. The surface is confined by a glass or liquid barrier and then exposed to short laser pulses. The pulses create a shockwave that travels into the metal to generate beneficial microstructure and residual stress.
Traditionally the microstructure and residual stresses are not stable after long fatigue cycles, especially under extreme conditions. In addition, traditional LSP has a challenge to treat high-strength metals using water as confinement.
SOLUTION
Purdue University researchers have created nanostructure-integrated laser shock peening, or nLSP, which controls the temperature during the process to introduce nanostructures. These nanostructures stabilize the beneficial microstructure and residual stress. There are applications in the aerospace and naval industries to address the reliability of materials under extreme conditions.
PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR
Gary Cheng, College of Engineering
IN THE MEDIA
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INNOVATION DISCLOSURE
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LICENSING CONTACTS
Email: otcip@prf.org
MEDIA CONTACT
Email: Steve Martin // sgmartin@prf.org
