Laser shock processing with two different laser sources on 2050‐T8 aluminum alloy

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to conduct a comparative study of the surface modifications induced by two different lasers on a 2050‐T8 aluminum alloy, with a specific consideration of residual stress and work‐hardening levels.Design/methodology/approachTwo lasers have been used for Laser shock peening (LSP) treatment in water‐confined regime: a Continuum Powerlite Plus laser, operating at 0.532 mm with 9 ns laser pulses, and near 1.5mm spot diameters; a new generation Gaia‐R Thales laser delivering 10 J‐10 ns impacts, with 4‐6mm homogeneous laser spots at 1.06 mm. Surface deformation, work‐hardening levels and residual stresses were analyzed for both LSP conditions. Residual stresses …