Shot Peening Advantages
Shot peening is also commonly referred to as shot blasting. It causes the metal grains to be in a relaxed state by shaking them. This is one of the most reliable methods that can be used for the purpose of preventing cracking. In short, shot peening is a process that can be used for the purpose of improving various parts such as gears and shafts. Normally, metals and various machines go through a lot of stress while they are working. They are likely to go through burns and scratches in the process. Once they are exposed to such factors, it is possible for them to cause other defects in the process.
Shot peening can, therefore, be considered to be a process that has been designed for the purpose of enhancing fatigue strength of various components which are normally subjected through a lot of stress. For instance, tensile residual stress is most likely to result from various surface treatment procedures which may include milling and bending. Once the parts have been exposed to this kind of stress, they are likely to last for a very short period of time than what you may actually have planned for. The importance of shot peening, therefore, is that it ensures that this kind of stress has been converted into comprehensive residual stress which serves to increases the life cycle of those parts.
There are different peening processes that are available. Shot peening, for instance, is used for the purpose of inducing residual comprehensive stress on the surface of given parts which are particularly exposed to both cyclic and repetitive loads. It is a very important process that also serves to reduce stress corrosion cracking. On the other hand, short peening forming is a process that is used to extend and compress the superficial layer of the parts of interested causing them to bow. It is used in the formation of skins and access panels, just to mention a few.
Normally, the fatigue cracks begin from a surface that is not perfect. When such a case is encountered, shot peening may be the best alternative as it serves to prevent crack formation and growth. Also, it is only through enhancing the comprehensive stress layer on the surface of the metal that you are able to increase the strength of the underlying tensile. Another benefit of shot peening is that it provides a surface that is more uniform. The flat surface can then be used for plating and for other special coatings.
Since gears are normally exposed to a lot of stress, they can benefit greatly from shot peening. Peening results to an improvement in lubricity and oil retention of these machine parts.it is also a process that should be used to get rid of the continuous machine marks on the gear tooth, making it the best way to eliminate the stress risers. Since the strength of the metal is increased in the process, most industries are able to use less expensive materials for the production of the same level hardness that is required for the application.