Patent ID: 6570126
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: C21D,F01D

Abstract:
A method for laser shock peening an article, said method comprising:aiming and then simultaneously firing low energy first and second laser beams with sufficient energy to vaporize material on first and second surface portions of the article to form first and second regions having deep compressive residual stresses extending into the article from the first and second laser shock peened surface portions, respectfully, said aiming comprising aiming the first and second laser beams such that first and second centerlines of the first and second laser beams impinge the first and second surface portions at first and second laser beam centerpoints through which pass parallel first and second axes that are substantially normal to the first and second surface portions at the first and second laser beam centerpoints, respectfully, such that the first and second axes are offset and first and second centerlines are non-collinear, and each of the low energy first and second laser beams having a level of energy of about between 1-10 joules.