Improvement of Fatigue Life and Surface Properties of Metallic Materials of Biomedical Interest by Laser Shock Processing

Abstract

Laser Shock Processing (LSP) is developed as a technique allowing the effective induction of residual stresses fields in metallic materials allowing a high degree of surface material protection against fatigue crack propagation, abrasive wear, chemical corrosion and other failure conditions, what makes the technique specially suitable and competitive with presently use techniques for the treatment of heavy duty components in the aeronautical, nuclear and automotive industries. The highly beneficial effect of LSP treatments has been demonstrated in the extension of life of test specimens with induced surface notches. The application of the LSP treatment to concrete high reliability components, particularly in the field of metallic materials of biomedical interest is envisaged. In the present communication, several experimental examples of the effects introduced in this kind of materials are shown along with some computational design tools developed in relation with typical prosthetical components. Additionally, the prospects for the application of the LSP treatment to new/advanced materials of biomedical interest are discussed.