Water attenuation enhances tribological damage resistance in laser peened steel.

• Laser shock peening on armored steel using air, water and silicone oil attenuation medium. • Enhanced wear damage tolerance of laser peened armored steel under water attenuation. • High compressive residual stresses of ∼150–319 MPa obtained on the laser peened armored steel. • Minimum wear rate of ∼2.61 × 10-8 mm3/N.m observed in laser peened armor steel at 450 mJ. In the present study, the effect of Laser Shock Peening (LSP) on wear characteristics of armor steel is investigated to mitigate the material degradation in tank barrels and prolong their service life. Tank barrels are exposed to enormous temperatures and pressures during rapid firing rounds, which invoke the material's failure and calls for a barrel replacement and the reinvestment of millions of dollars. LSP performed at different pulse energies (i.e., 450 mJ, 350 mJ, and 250 mJ) with varying attenuating media such as air, water, and silicone oil, have resulted in high wear resistance and superior mechanical properties compared to that of armor steel. Water attenuation with a pulse energy of 450 mJ has resulted in surface hardness of ∼495 ± 3 H V , compressive residual stresses of ∼319 ± 2 MPa, and exhibited minimum wear rate of ∼2.61 × 10-8 ± 0.04 × 10-8 mm3/N.m, capable of limiting wear and erosion problems, thereby enhancing the service life of tank barrels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]