Title :
Reliable laser technology for laser peening applications
Author :
Hackel, Lloyd A. ; Dane, C. Brent
Author_Institution :
Curtiss-Wright Surface Technol., Metal Improvement Co., Livermore, CA, USA
Abstract :
A phase-conjugated Nd:glass laser technology delivering 20 J/pulse at 1 GW and 5 Hz prf is reliably employed for laser peening. With irradiances up to 10 GW/cm2 the laser´s beam creates pressures that plastically yield metal surfaces leaving deep levels of compressive stress or desired plastic strain. The laser technology has solved the problem of a reliable high-power, high-rate laser for the peening process. The laser and technology has been proven in multiple industrial applications ranging from 787 Dreamliner engines to fuel efficient gas and steam electrical-generator turbines to forming curvature in thick sections of the large wing skins for the new Boeing 747-8.
Keywords :
compressive strength; laser materials processing; plastic deformation; plasticity; reliability; shot peening; stress analysis; 787 Dreamliner engines; Boeing 747-8; compressive stress; fuel efficient gas; high-rate laser; laser beam; laser peening applications; laser peening process; phase-conjugated Nd:glass laser technology; plastic strain; plastically yield metal surfaces; reliable laser technology; steam electrical-generator turbines; wing skins; Fatigue; Gas lasers; Laser beams; Metals; Plastics; Reliability; Stress;
Conference_Titel :
Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), 2012 Conference on
Conference_Location :
San Jose, CA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4673-1839-6