Influence of laser spot overlap effect on residual stresses during laser-shock-wave processing of materials

Laser-shock-wave processing (LSWP) of materials is an innovative material processing technology in which considerable compressive residual stresses are generated in the surface region and contribute to improved strength and performance parameters. We analyze performance capabilities of lasers operating at higher frequencies and lower energy levels compared to lasers used with traditional LSWP technologies. Finite element modeling of compressive residual stresses at different stages of laser spot overlap for BT-6 titanium alloys is carried out. The results are compared with the known experimental data. It is shown that they are correlate well with each other.