Shot peening is meant to increase the strength of components that are subjected to high alternating stress. It has grown hugely in its popularity, and is outshining other time consuming and costly processes whilst permitting for the excellent design of lightweight and more cost effective components. There are a wide range of shot peen machines available, and some have different applications for different types of compression. There are different methods of the abrasive used in shot peening machines too.
Shot peening with blast wheels is said to be environmentally friendly and is also popularly known as an economic process. As a result of this, a wide range of machines are offered on the market. There are a comprehensive range of models available which have been made after many years of research and trial and error in the industry.
During the shot peening procedure, the abrasive is thrown at the surface of components that are free of stress or tension. Each abrasive works almost as a tiny hammer, changing and inflicting stress upon the metal surface being worked upon. These pieces of metal that are being shot peened are referred to as work pieces. Plastic can also be peened, but naturally, as it is a weaker component, a different kind of abrasive is used in the peening process.
This process will achieve an even distribution of compressive and tensile stress. By the abrasive hitting the surface at high velocities, a permanent spherical indentation will be caused on the surface of the component. The layers of metal below the surface will also be affected by this, and will, as a result, become deformed. The equilibrium of the two forces combined causes a compressive stress within the metal that causes shot peened work pieces to undergo a preliminary stress before actually being put to use! These work pieces will be subjected to later stress further on, but it is this initial stress that will reduce the fatigue strength of the metal.
Shot peening machines have certain fields of application. The shot peening procedure for the compaction of surfaces is fore mostly suited to components that are exposed to straight tensional stress. The mining and aircraft manufacturing industry are common users of shot peening machines. High quality shot peening machines are used to ensure that only the best quality of work is produced. Different types of shot peening machines are used for the different industries in which they are needed.
