Surface enhancement of metallic materials: A layer of residual compression developed at the surface through local plastic deformation helps to improve fatigue life for components in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Advanced Materials & Processes,  January, 2002  by Gabb, Timothy P.

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Timothy P. Gabb (*) J. Telesman (*) P. Kantzos (*) Paul S. Prevey (**) The reason for cold working the surface of a metal component is to develop a compressive layer that will delay fatigue crack initiation and retard small crack propagation. However, the benefits of surface enhancement are lost if the compressive layer relaxes at the operating temperature of a component such as a turbine blade.

To find ways to prevent such relaxation, a study was conducted at NASA Glenn to establish an improved method for producing a heat-resistant compressive layer with minimal plastic ...

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