Tailoring Surface and Subsurface Properties of Selective Laser Melted SS316L Subjected to Laser Shock Peening

Key Points

• Significant improvements in surface properties were observed after laser shock peening, enhancing material durability.
• Surface hardness increased by up to 45% compared to untreated samples, indicating effective material strengthening.
• Experimental evaluation using selective laser melting and laser shock peening yielded notable performance effects.
• These findings highlight the potential for optimizing metal fabrication processes in industrial applications.