Dynamic Finite Element Analysis on Single Impact Plastic Deformation Behavior Induced by SMAT Process in 7075-T6 Aluminum Alloy

Surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) is a method that enhances the mechanical properties of metallic materials by generating a thin nanostructured layer on the top surface. In this study, single-shot impact behavior was modeled for the 7075-T6 aluminum alloy to reach maximum values of equivalent stress, plastic strain, deformation depth, residual stress depth, and residual stress. Finite element simulations have been carried out to analyze the effect of selected parameters on stress and strains in the component. For simulating the SMAT process, a rigid sphere on a rectangular component is modeled using ANSYS/AUTODYN explicit dynamic solver. The plastic deformation process during SMAT was analyzed according to shot velocity and diameter with a dynamic explicit finite element method (FEM). The response surface methodology was used to evaluate the parametric results for the SMAT process. In addition, deformation behavior was evaluated after a single-shot impact according to the restitution coefficient.