Effect of Shot Peening on Fatigue Properties of A20X Fabricated by Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Shot peeningShot peening was employed to enhance the fatigueFatigue performance of aluminumAluminum A20X components manufactured by laser powder bed fusionLaser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The effect of shot peeningShot peening Almen intensity on surfaceSurface quality and fatigueFatigue properties of LPBF A20X were examined through surfaceSurface characterizationCharacterization and mechanicalMechanical testing techniques. Shot peeningShot peening improved surface roughnessSurface roughness and introduced compressive residual stresses, enhancing the fatigueFatigue performance by delaying crack initiation. The best fatigueFatigue performance was obtained at the highest Almen intensity (0.2 mmA), resulting in a 50% lower maximum valley depth (Rv) and a 156% improvement in fatigue lifeFatigue life compared to as-printed A20X.