Laser Pulse Shape Effect on a Laser Shock-Peened Turbine Blade

As an innovative surface treatment technique, laser shock processing is used extensively to improve the resistance of metallic workpieces to corrosion, fatigue and wear, particularly in spite of the residual compressive stresses that are generated. The purpose of this paper is to study the geometric shape effect of the laser impact on a turbine blade’s thin leading edge. A 3D finite element simulation of Ti-6Al-4V thin leading-edge specimens is performed by means of ABAQUS software. Its main objective consists in studying and comparing the mechanical modifications of the surface generated by circular and square laser spots: the compressive residual stresses, the plastic deformations and the damage.