Surface topography evolution of Ni-based single crystal superalloy under laser shock: Formation of the nano-scale surface reliefs

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of laser shock peening (LSP) on surface topography evolution of metallic targets. Samples manufactured by a Ni-based single crystal superalloy with polished finish were treated by LSP, and the surface topographies before and after LSP were examined by non-contact White-Light Interferometer (WLI). Results showed the following three aspects: (a) By taking advantage of WLI, the shrinkage porosities and the interdendritic structures were observed simultaneously. (b) With the increasing impact times, the round pit induced by laser shock became deeper. (c) The nano-scale surface reliefs were found on the bottom of round pit induced by LSP, and the specific plastic flow of metallic materials under the action of compressive stresses was deemed as the primary contributor to the formation of surface reliefs. It revealed a novel microscale plastic deformation phenomenon of metallic materials in surface strengthening.