Turbine blade failure for the U.S. Air Force's B-i bomber has been reduced, time-consuming inspections eliminated, and maintenance costs lowered due to a laser shock peening (LSP) process developed by General Electric Aircraft Engines, according to the Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate. New research sponsored by the directorate is helping to refine and automate the process for use in other engines as well.The process was developed to increase the durability of titanium fan blades and decrease their sensitivity to foreign object damage from ice and other hard objects ingested into the engine. Laser shock peening uses a strong laser impulse to impart high compressive residual stresses in the surface of metal leading edge components. The laser pulse ignites a blast or shock wave from the specially coated surface of the component. The resulting surface compressive residual stress significantly improves the high-cycle-fatigue properties of the component and greatly increases resistance to blade failure caused by foreign object damage.
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