As far as steels are concerned, the effect of the treatment is similair to nitriding, thus it increases the surface hardness. If you want to use a treatment like this you need to either be looking to obtain the super finishing or the resigual compressive stress.
If you want a similair effect in Al or Ti, you need to be looking at anodizing, akadizing, etc. These processes will bring the surface hardness up, however I am not sure about the increase in compressive stresses. I will have to read about it today. :cool: