finishing-and-treatment-manufacturing-processes > Laser Peening

This process involves the use of a pulsed laser to impart shockwaves through the surface of a metal component. The mechanism therefore is not thermal, but force driven.

In Laser Peening, the yielded metal compresses into the surface, inducing compressive stress at the surface. This enables a greater depth of compressive stresses to be achieved with Laser Peening compared with other surface peening methods such as Metal Shot, Glass or Ceramic Bead Peening.

The applications where Laser Peening is applicable are the same as other Shot Peening methods, but Laser Peening offers improved performance due to its ability to increase the compressive stress of a material underneath the surface. However, the costs incurred with this improved performance are higher.