The effects of laser peening (LP) on the bending fatigue strength of the 7075‐T651 aluminum alloy were investigated. Accordingly, the defect tolerance of the aluminum alloy subjected to LP is discussed on the basis of fracture mechanics. The results indicate that a deeper compressive residual stress was induced by LP compared with the case of shot peening (SP). The fatigue strengths increased when both peening types were used. Semicircular slits with depths less than 0.4 and 0.1 mm were rendered harmless on the basis of the applications of LP and SP, respectively. The apparent threshold stress intensity factor range ΔKth,ap increased by approximately five and two times owing to LP and SP, respectively. The increase of the ΔKth,ap was caused by the compressive residual stress induced by the peening. The Kitagawa‐Takahashi diagram of the laser‐peened specimens shows that the defect tolerance of the aluminum alloy was improved by LP.

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