Laser Peening, Shot Peening, Ultrasonic Impact Treatment, Low Plasticity Burnishing, High Frequency Impact Treatments -- these are some of the approaches that have demonstrated significant improvements in strength and fatigue life, sometimes very significant improvements. Surface appearance, hardness and scratch resistance, notch resistance, crack and crack propagation resistance are also significantly improved.

In some cases, order-of-magnitude improvements are seen. Other times, it is more like 2X-5X.

I've just started looking into these treatments.

Independent Fabrication sells a shot-peened titanium frame. They are convinced of the merits of this treatment. More details are available on their site.

Google can provide additional information and links for all of these treatments, among others.

I thought others here might be interested. If anyone has anything to add on the topic, please post.

I already have a ti frame, and I am considering sending it out for one of these treatments. I have no idea how expensive they are, though, or which of them would be most cost effective, or who would be best to do it through. Any suggestions appreciated.

The idea of relieving residual tensile stresses seems excellent to me, as do the other improvements.

High Frequency Impact Treatments look as though they may even involve reasonably affordable tools.

Aluminum and Titanium seem like prime candidates for these treatments. Maybe some of the steels as well? Falanx? Anyone?