Shot peening is a cold working process used to produce a compressive residual stress layer and modify the mechanical properties of metal. It can strengthen metal components by damaging the surface to create an effect of compression rather than tension. Shot peening is frequently used as a technique to improve fatigue life and resist fretting, corrosion, erosion and wear.
The shot peening process involves the impact of small metal shot, typically spherical in shape, on the surface of a part. The particles typically range in size from 0.003 to 0.020 inches in diameter. The shot is propelled toward the surface at a high velocity, and when it strikes, it dents the metal, producing compressive residual stresses. The shot peening process applies a cold working process that increases the fatigue life of all metal components. The depth of the compressive residual stress layer is a function of the metal hardness and shot size. The harder and thicker the material, the larger the shot size needed to ensure adequate depth of coverage and impact.
Shot peening is an effective surface treatment for all metals. Some of the most common metals to undergo shot peening treatments include aluminum, steel and stainless steel, titanium, and even bronze and brass. The process of shot peening is used in many industrial and engineering applications such as aerospace components, jet engines, automotive parts, medical devices, and oil and gas components.
Shot peening also has a number of benefits that make it an attractive surface treatment solution. It has good economic viability as a cost-efficient enhancement to the overall life of components. It also provides resistance to fatigue, corrosion and wear. It also raises the tensile strength of the metal and improves its durability. All these factors together make shot peening an ideal treatment option for components that need to be strong and resistant to damage.
The process can also be used to give components complex geometries like holey or honeycomb structures. This makes it ideal for parts that need to undergo stress or have specific dimensions or shapes.
The shot peening process is relatively simple and cost-effective. It typically only takes a few minutes for the part to be shot peened. The results are immediate and long-lasting. Parts that have undergone shot peening typically last several times longer than those that have not.
Overall, Shot peening is a cost-effective and beneficial surface treatment option for a wide variety of metals. It can increase the fatigue life, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance of components, while also providing complex geometries. This makes it an ideal choice for many industrial and engineering applications.
