Effects Of Peening On The Fatigue Performance Of Aluminum Alloy Fillet Welds

Author:  Polmear, J.
Source:  Metals Forum, Vol. 2, No. 1, 1979
Doc ID:  1979001
Year of Publication:  1979
Abstract:  
An investigation has been made of the effects of surface peening on the fatigue characteristics of aluminium alloy specimens having load-carrying fillet welds to see if the improved performance reported for butt welded components was also observed. Separate batches of specimens with transverse and longitudinal fillet welds were tested in the peened and unpeened conditions over wide stress ranges involving high tensile preload/low cyclic loads and low tensile preload/high cyclic loads. Peening of the welded regions with a needle gun was carried out either before or after the application of the preload. Tests have shown peening to be beneficial under most conditions, notably when peening was carried out after preloading. Field trials are currently in progress.