14th International Conference on Shot Peening

Development of a robotic controlled shot peening process for surface nanocrystallisation on Ti-6Al-4V component

Yijun Liu, David Wimpenny, Ben Mcgrory, Colin Mcgrory

Manufacturing Technology Centre, Pilot Way, Ansty Business Park, Coventry, V7 9JU, UK, Yijun.liu@the-mtc.org;

Sandwell UK Ltd., 2 Foundry Place, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 6FP, UK, Ben.McGrory@sandwell-uk.com; Colin.McGrory@sandwell-uk.com

Introduction

Surface nanocrystallisation (SNC) on a metal surface has been a hot research topic for a couple of decades. A previous study in Sandwell UK Ltd revealed that surface nanocrystallisation on Ni-based superalloy Inconel 718 can be realised with a conventional shot peening process [1]. Since then, a robotic controlled shot peening process was developed in order to produce nanocrystalline microstructure on a metallic component surface at industrial scale. The new system was integrated with a cooling device and a temperature monitoring system in order to keep the component’s surface cooled down so not accumulating heat as a cooled surface is beneficial for preventing the ever-decreased grains from growing big again in the process.

Objectives

The present investigation aims to evaluate and validate the newly developed robotic controlled shot peening process for the surface nanocrystallisation. Ti-6Al-4V alloy was chosen for the experimental study.