1.Surface Modification Laboratory, School of Advanced Sciences,VIT University,Vellore,India
Abstract:
The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of laser peening without coating (LPwC) on austenitic to martensitic (γ → α′) phase transformation and corrosion behavior of austenitic stainless steel AISI 321 in 3.5% NaCl environment. Results indicate that LPwC induces a large compressive residual stresses of nearly ?854 MPa and γ → α′ phase transformation of about 18% (volume fraction). Microstructures of peened surface confirmed the γ → α′ phase transformation and showed no grain refinement. Hardness increased slightly with a case depth of 900 μm. Despite the smaller surface roughness introduced, corrosion resistance improved after peening due to compressive residual stresses.