Ali Beheshti, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, received funding for the project: “Surface Integrity and Tribological Study of Propulsion Shaft Materials Subjected to Advanced Surface Strengthening Treatments.”
In this project, Beheshti and his team are conducting detailed analyses of IN625, a nickel-based superalloy, and Ni-Cu, alloys of copper and nickel, subjected to an advanced laser peening (LP) process. The process uses very high-speed laser generated shock waves applied to the material and results in significant mechanical strength.
Specifically, they are studying unpeened, shot peened, and laser peened (LP) overlay IN625 as well as Ni-Cu materials provided by Curtiss Wright Surface Technology (CWST) through finite element simulation as well as a wide range of microscopy and mechanical characterization techniques.
Regarding the importance of the project, Beheshti said, “Materials with high fatigue, corrosion, and wear resistance are highly important for the Navy fleet working under harsh conditions like corrosive and high temperature environments. This project will study and quantify the effect of LP process on mechanical strength enhancement of those superalloys.”
Beheshti received $44,121 from Metal Improvement Company, LLC, on a subaward from the Office of Naval Research. Funding began in Jan. 2023 and will end in Jan. 2024.
###
About George Mason University
George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls 38,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. Learn more at http://www.gmu.edu.
