Contour forming of metals by laser peening

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:874542

Hackel, Lloyd ^[1]; Harris, Fritz ^[2]

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1. Livermore, CA
2. Rocklin, CA

A method and apparatus are provided for forming shapes and contours in metal sections by generating laser induced compressive stress on the surface of the metal workpiece. The laser process can generate deep compressive stresses to shape even thick components without inducing unwanted tensile stress at the metal surface. The precision of the laser-induced stress enables exact prediction and subsequent contouring of parts. A light beam of 10 to 100 J/pulse is imaged to create an energy fluence of 60 to 200 J/cm.sup.2 on an absorptive layer applied over a metal surface. A tamping layer of water is flowed over the absorptive layer. The absorption of laser light causes a plasma to form and consequently creates a shock wave that induces a deep residual compressive stress into the metal. The metal responds to this residual stress by bending.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: The Regents of the University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6410884
• OSTI ID: 874542
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

contour
forming
metals
laser
peening
method
apparatus
provided
shapes
contours
metal
sections
generating
induced
compressive
stress
surface
workpiece
process
generate
deep
stresses
shape
thick
components
inducing
unwanted
tensile
precision
laser-induced
enables
exact
prediction
subsequent
contouring
light
beam
10
100
jpulse
imaged
create
energy
fluence
60
200
jcmsup2
absorptive
layer
applied
tamping
water
flowed
absorption
causes
plasma
form
consequently
creates
shock
wave
induces
residual
responds
bending
laser light
light beam
residual stress
metal workpiece
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