Combined effect of surface morphology and residual stress induced by fine particle and shot peening on the fatigue limit for carburized steels

[Display omitted] •The fatigue limit of carburized steels treated with FPP was higher than that treated with SP.•The effect of surface dents induced by peening on the fatigue limit was elucidated.•The surface dents significantly decreased the fatigue limit of carburized steels.•The fatigue limit of carburized steels treated with peening could be estimated. The combined effect of surface morphology and residual stress induced by peening on the fatigue limit of carburized steels were quantitatively elucidated to precisely estimate the fatigue limit. The fatigue limit of carburized steels treated with peening increased with decreasing the size of surface dents induced by peening, and the effect of residual stress on the fatigue limit was enhanced with a decrease in their size. Additionally, the maximum fatigue limit (1157 MPa) of carburized steels without surface dents, which is higher than those of steels treated with peening, could be estimated according to the modified Goodman diagram.