Post-processing of selective laser melting manufactured SS-304L by laser shock peening

This paper investigates the post-processing of additively manufactured stainless steel (SS) 304 L samples through laser shock peening (LSP). Four samples, differently processed, (i) as-built (AB); (ii) as-built + annealed; (iii) as-built + polished; and (iv) as-built + annealed + polished, were used to study the effect of LSP at pre-identified parameters to understand the mechanism and behavior of processing different conditions. In addition, compressive residual stresses and surface morphology were considered as a response to measure the effects of LSP on processed samples. The results have shown significant improvements in compressive residual stresses where the values have changed from initial tensile to compressive (−1170 MPa) and remain compressive up to the depth of 1 mm in most cases. The results of this research help better understand the LSP mechanism in the post-processing of AM Parts.