Dynamic response and roughness control of surface materials on TC4 titanium alloy subjected to laser shock wave planishing

In this study, ABAQUS was used to predict the dynamic response of surface materials on TC4 titanium alloy during laser shock wave planishing (LSWP). The experiments were conducted to evaluate the simulations. The results indicate that during the initial stage of LSWP, the contact status between the contact foil and the micro-protrusion changes from the one-dimensional stress state to the one-dimensional strain state. This causes the high-amplitude tensile residual stress to converge at the center of the flattened micro-protrusion surface. When treating specimens with high surface roughness, the application of a thin contact foil can significantly lower the height of micro-protrusions and lift the bottom of micro-depressions. This improves the plastic flow of micro-protrusions and prevents the convergence of tensile residual stress. Using a thick contact foil can help extend the pressure pulse duration and prevent the overall surface profile subsidence when treating specimens with lower surface roughness. The outcomes of the experiment and the simulation agree rather well. Additionally, a thick contact foil can reduce the build-up of tensile residual stress by reducing the contact pressure.