Investigation of parameters of laser shock peening on turbine blade profile by DED process

Abstract

Ti-6Al-4V is a widely used titanium alloy known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance, good biocompatibility, and superior high-temperature performance. These attributes make it a preferred material in diverse industries, including aerospace, biomedical, automotive, and marine sectors. With increasing demand for complex and high-performance components, additive manufacturing (AM) techniques such as Direct Energy Deposition (DED) have gained significant attention. DED is an advanced AM process that uses a high-energy laser beam and a coaxial powder delivery system to fabricate components layer by layer. This process offers high material utilization and is well-suited for fabricating large, complex geometries or repairing existing components. However, the quality and mechanical performance of DED-fabricated parts are highly sensitive to process parameters such as laser power, scanning speed, and powder feed rate. Improper selection can lead to high residual stresses, poor surface finish, and sub-optimal mechanical properties due to rapid thermal cycling. In this study, an effort has been made to optimize key DED process parameters for Ti-6Al-4V.