Optimizing the microstructure and fretting tribo-corrosion resistance of Zr-4 alloy via laser shock peening

Journal of Materials Research and Technology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Shijia Yu, Huazhuang Wu, Tigang Hu, Taili Chen, Yuchun Wu, Zunyuan Zhou, Zhengyang Li, Zhenbing Cai
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2026.02.103
Cited by: 2
References: 56

Abstract

Zr-4 alloy, a critical material for reactor core components, operates long-term in a LiOH-containing corrosive coolant environment, where fretting tribo-corrosion is a primary failure mechanism. In this work, laser shock peening (LSP) was applied at varying laser power densities (0–6.6 GW/cm 2 ) to modify the alloy surface, with the aim of systematically evaluating its effect on fretting tribo-corrosion performance and elucidating the underlying strengthening mechanisms. Comprehensive characterization via XRD, EBSD, TEM, electrochemical tests, and fretting experiments shows that increasing power density shifts the dominant plastic deformation mechanism from dislocation slip (

Fields of Study & Subjects

Surface Treatment and Residual Stress Metal and Thin Film Mechanics Mechanical stress and fatigue analysis

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Materials Research and Technology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
41
Pages
4792–4812
Publication date
12 February 2026
Language
EN