Residual Stresses Induced by Robotized Hammer-Peening

Abstract

The strains induced by hammer-peening were measured by strain gauges on a mild steel plate during the hammer-peening operation. This process has recently been robotized by the research institute of Hydro-Québec (IREQ), so the hammer-peening performed for this study was done with the help of a Scompi robot. The resulting stresses calculated from the strain measurements were compared with residual stress measurements made with the hole drilling technique. The comparison shows a very good correlation of the two sets of measurements. Residual stress measurements were also made in the hammer-peened zone: as expected we found a highly biaxial compressive state of stress in this zone. An unexpected region of transverse tension was found at the end of the hammerpeened zone. This region can be very critical if hammer-peening is made with the objective of improving fatigue behaviour.