Laser hardening of aerospace structural materials.

The work is devoted to the study of laser shock treatment of structural materials used in aviation and space technology with powerful nanosecond pulses in order to reduce surface damage, as well as resistance to crack growth. The hardening effect is achieved due to the mechanical deformation produced by the shock wave from the laser pulse due to the rapidly expanding plasma in the area of the irradiation spot. In this work, laser parameters for processing structural materials are calculated to ensure the required laser radiation power density. The results of laser processing with high-power nanosecond pulses of materials such as oxygen-free copper, aluminum alloy and germanium at various energy densities, with and without a protective coating and a water layer are shown. • Laser shock treatment of structural materials by nanosecond pulses was presented. • A plastic deformation on oxygen-free copper was shown (depth up to 5 μm). • A plastic deformation on aluminum alloy was in a form of hollow with 3 μm depth. • Power density of laser pulses was up to 3.2 GW/cm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]