Fatigue Life Improvement of Tubular Welded Joints by Ultrasonic Peening

Author:  Y. Kudryavtsev and J. Kleiman
Source:  International Institute of Weleding document XIII-2117-06
Doc ID:  2006044
Year of Publication:  2006
Abstract:  
ABSTRACT The development of the Ultrasonic Peening (UP) technology was a logical continuation of the work done before and directed at the investigation and further development of known techniques for surface plastic deformation such as shot peening, hammer peening and needle peening. The UP technique is based on the combined effect of the high frequency impacts of the special strikers and ultrasonic oscillations in treated material. The UP was applied successfully for increasing the fatigue life of parts and welded elements, eliminating of distortions caused by welding and other technological processes, residual stress relieving, increasing of the hardness of materials. The results of fatigue testing showed that UP is the most efficient technique for increasing the fatigue life of welded elements compared to such existing improvement treatments as grinding, TIG-dressing, shot peening and hammer peening. The basic principles, technology and equipment for UP as well as the efficiency of UP application for fatigue life improvement of tubular welded joints are considered in this document. KEY WORDS: Fatigue improvement, ultrasonic peening, UP, ultrasonic impact, tubular welded joints, rectangular hollow section, RHS