Effect of fretting wear on TC4 alloy prepared by laser shock peening at high temperature

The fretting wear properties of a nanocrystalline layer with laser shock peening (LSP) on the surface of Ti–6Al–4V (TC4) alloy were investigated to improve the fretting friction performance at 25 °C and 500 °C. The fretting operation characteristics and material damage mechanism of the LSP–TC4 alloy were investigated through a friction dissipation model and two kinds of operation fretting models. The contact morphology and three-body behaviour on the surface were also revealed. The wear resistance performances of the strengthened surfaces exceeded those of unreinforced surfaces at 25 °C and 500 °C but the LSP-treated alloy was more stable at 25 °C. As revealed in the operation fretting models, the fretting running region of the LSP layer consisted of a mixed slip regime and gross slip regime. The material response area was composed of slight and abrasive wear areas at 500 °C. The improved fretting fatigue resistance of TC4 alloy was attributed to the refined internal organisation and high-density dislocation organisation of LSP, which inhibits the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks.