Theoretical Analysis of the Effect of Pulse Time Structure on Residual Stress and Plastic Deformation During Laser Shock Processing

In laser shock peening (LSP) technology, pulsed lasers serve as the driving source and energy supply for generating shock loads. The temporal structure of the pulse directly influences the formation and dynamic evolution of plasma, which, in turn, affects the characteristics of the shock load and plays a decisive role in material strengthening. This study uses the one-dimensional radiation magnetohydrodynamics (RMHD) code HELIOS to obtain the temporal waveforms of shock waves under different pulse temporal structures. Additionally, the ABAQUS finite element method is employed to investigate the residual stress distribution and plastic deformation in the shock region following various shock load applications. The results demonstrate the potential to precisely control the temporal characteristics of the shock load by adjusting the pulse temporal structure, as well as to enhance the efficiency of converting optical energy into mechanical energy, thereby meeting diverse processing requirements.