Synchrotron Strain Mapping of the Residual Strain Distribution around Foreign Object Damage in Laser Shock Peened Ti-6AL-4V Alloy

The current study investigates the effect of foreign object damage (FOD) on the pre-existing compressive residual stress field associated with laser shock peening (LSP) and its evolution upon combined LCF/HCF cycling. FOD was introduced onto an aerofoil-shaped specimen that had been previously LSP treated through ballistic impacts at angles of 0° and 45° to the leading edge. It is shown that the FOD notch created by 45° impact was asymmetric in shape and smaller in depth compared to that created at 0° impact. Significant through thickness compression was introduced parallel to the leading edge as a result of the LSP process. The residual strain distribution was mapped around the FOD notch by synchrotron X-ray radiation. The results show predominantly compressive stresses ahead of the notch, being greater for the 0 compared to 45 impact. No significant stress relaxation was observed after a combined (1000 HCF cycles superimposed on 1 LCF cycle) cycle.