Could your components be improved by Shot Peening?

Controlled shot peening is a cold work process that is used to change the properties of metals and alloys by developing a layer of compressive stress in the surface of components. The process of controlled shot peening helps to reduce and prevent fatigue and stress corrosion failures and prolong product life. Small spherical balls (known as media) are fired at the surface of a component. This process helps to reduce component failure as result of residual tensile stress induced during manufacturing. Furthermore, some residual tensile stress could be induced during operating conditions and the process of controlled shot peening can help to reduce or remove this. The process of controlled shot peening involves the use of spherical media known as shot. As each piece of shot strikes the surface of a material it creates a small indentation where the surface will attempt to yield. Substrate material will restrain the surface under compression during this process- removing tensile stresses. At CWST, computer controlled robotic machinery is used during controlled shot peening to maximise precision and quality. Each application of controlled shot peening has its own unique requirements such as geometry, manufacturing method, base material, strain sensitivity, in-service environment and loading conditions. Further considerations such as cost and turnaround time will also be considered for each application. The Shot Peening Process is one of the most economical and effective methods of both increasing surface and subsurface residual compressive stresses and removing residual tensile stresses to increase the components life. Depending on the application of the component, different media may be used. Media range from metal, ceramic and glass and will each will be used for different material finishes and applications. Common applications of controlled shot peening include; gear parts, camshafts, clutch springs, coil springs, connecting rods, crankshafts, gearwheels, leaf and suspension springs, rock drills and turbine blades. The shot peening process is also sometimes used in aviation and automotive industries on components like engine blocks and cylinder heads. Controlled shot peening is a highly cost-effective method of reducing residual tensile stress that may have been induced during manufacturing or the operating conditions of components. Furthermore, controlled shot peening helps to prevent failures due to; metal fatigue, corrosion fatigue, stress corrosion cracking, intergranular corrosion, fretting, falling, spalling and wear. Curtiss-Wright specialise in surface technologies and offer customer a single source solution and point of contact for all their controlled metal surface treatments, supporting their requirements through a global network of over 70 worldwide and on-site field teams.