Modeling, calculation, and experimental verification on the implantation depth of laser shock wave-driven WC nanoparticle into 5A06 aluminum alloy

When a nanoparticle layer was placed between the absorbing layer and the top surface of a 5A06 aluminum alloy during laser shock peening (LSP), nanoparticles close to the top surface were implanted into the surface layer of the 5A06 aluminum alloy because of the mechanical effect of laser shock wave (LSW). This technology was dubbed LSW-driven nanoparticle implantation (LSWNI) into the surface layer of light alloy. This work applied the finite element method to demonstrate the dynamic movement of LSW-driven nanoparticles implanted into a 5A06 aluminum alloy. Based on the penetration process, an implantation depth model was developed for a nanoparticle into a 5A06 aluminum alloy subjected to a single and two LSWNI impacts. Results showed that the nanoparticles were implanted into the surface layer of the 5A06 aluminum alloy by an ultra-strong LSW and were distributed uniformly. The calculated implantation depth of the nanoparticle agreed well with the experimental data, verifying the validity of the implantation depth model.