Severe Shot Peening of PBF-LB Manufactured and Reference 316L – Fatigue Performance and Microstructure

This study explores the findings concerning the impact of severe shot peening (SSP) on 316L stainless steel, both in laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) and traditional manufacturing routes. Microstructural changes induced by SSP are examined through electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis. The study demonstrates that SSP treatment leads to grain refinement in both materials, but martensitic transformation was only observed in sheet metal. Mechanical testing revealed significant increases in yield strength and ultimate tensile strength in SSP-treated 316L, and fatigue testing under axial and bending loading conditions showed substantial improvements in fatigue limits, with the PBF-LB material benefiting more from SSP treatment. These findings highlight the potential of SSP for enhancing the mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel, making it valuable for applications demanding superior strength and fatigue resistance.