Nitinol, an equiatomic alloy of nickel and titanium, is widely used in various engineering applications due to its properties such as superelasticity and the elastocaloric effect. However, despite its many advantages, its low fatigue resistance limits the reliability and lifespan of components. One promising method for improving these properties is laser shock peening (LSP), which influences the mechanical response of the material through induced compressive residual stresses and microstructural changes. In this study, we investigated the effects of laser shock waves using different power densities on residual stresses, microhardness, microstructural, and mechanical properties of superelastic NiTi alloy. The average grain size on the surface was reduced by 57% after treatment, from 29.3 μm to 12.55 μm. Additionally, mechanical tests conducted after training under identical loading conditions showed a significant reduction in plastic deformation - from 4,38 % in the untreated base material, 1,67 % after LSP treatment.
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