Experimental results in fretting fatigue with shot and laser peened Al 7075-T651 specimens

Abstract This work focuses on determining the effect of shot and laser peening on fretting fatigue in the Al 7075-T651 alloy. These surface treatments generate a residual compressive stress field near the treated surface where contact under fretting fatigue produces high stress levels. The fretting fatigue resistance of shot and laser peened specimens was assessed in a series of tests involving measurements of the residual stress field, residual stress relaxation under the action of cyclic loads, the friction coefficient, surface roughness and material hardness. The obtained results are compared with those for untreated specimens. The tests show the beneficial effect of the compressive residual stresses and the improvement that surface roughness causes in fretting fatigue life, especially in shot peened specimens. Another important effect observed, is the partial residual stress relaxation produced during the fretting fatigue tests.