We design shot peening processes and supply the necessary machinery to obtain the results and objectives specified by our clients. We have high precision equipment, accessories and consumables to guarantee the best results in improving the resistance of all types of metal surfaces. We can supply standard or custom-made processes and equipment.
Shot peening is probably our most sophisticated treatment. It is a process that has been meticulously and detailedly developed by our research and development department to improve the resistance of metal surfaces to fatigue and reduce the negative effects associated with surface decarburization.
Our technologies for shot peening processes are designed to improve the fatigue resistance of hardened, nitrided and recovered parts. Treatment can go to considerable depth and is often used to retard or eliminate breakage associated with stress corrosion cracking, fretting, pitting, or to reduce the negative effects associated with decarburizing of surfaces.
The most common technologies for shot peening are air blast systems or centrifugal blast wheels.
Types of shot and abrasives that can be used include molten steel shot, glass or ceramic microspheres, and cut wire.
Cut wire shot is generally preferred as it maintains its spherical shape as it degrades, unlike cast shot which can break into sharp pieces and damage the treated part. Additionally, chopped wire can last five times longer than fused shot and is also relatively inexpensive.
The primary benefit of shot peening is that it extends the life of a component by creating a layer of induced compressive stress to increase resistance to fatigue (including corrosion fatigue, stress corrosion cracking, and cavitation erosion), while helping to prevent crack development and propagation, as the creation of compressive stresses that resist metal fatigue helps prevent crack propagation through the material.
Stress corrosion cracking is also mitigated internally, as the plastic deformation caused by the various types of shot peening increases the strength of parts that are stressed from the inside. However, tensile stresses within a material are not as problematic, since surface cracks are less likely to start within a material.
Our shot peening systems are designed and manufactured with the highest technological standards to strictly respond to the specific needs of this particular treatment, characterized by numerous specifications that vary according to each application and extreme application complexity.
Our shot peening machinery is designed to give each piece the same treatment, through rigorous control of all the characteristics of the process, such as the working pressure, the location of the hot spot, the angle of attack, the granulometry, the shape and the capacity of the shot and abrasives, as well as the translation and rotation speeds of the different movements. Our solutions are fully compatible and certifiable according to the specifications of the most common regulations and are compatible with the typical indications of sectoral certifications.
Shot peening is applied in various industries where it is required to improve the resistance and durability of metal parts subjected to cyclical stresses. Some of the main industries in which shot peening is used are as follows:
In addition to these main industries, shot peening is also used in sectors such as the oil and gas industry, shipbuilding, engine manufacturing, railway industry, sports equipment manufacturing, and many other areas where greater strength and service life of metal parts is required.
Shot peening and shot blasting are terms that are often used interchangeably to refer to the same process. Both involve the projection of particles onto the surface of a metal part to improve its resistance and durability. However, subtle distinctions can sometimes be made between the two terms.
In general, shot blasting refers to the technique of projecting particles at high velocity onto a surface to clean, deburr, or prepare it for coating. Shot blasting is used to remove rust, scale, paint or other impurities from the surface of a part, leaving it clean and ready for the next process.
On the other hand, shot peening focuses more on improving the mechanical properties of the surface of a part. The main objective of shot peening is to create residual compression in the surface layer of the part, which improves its resistance to fatigue and its ability to withstand cyclic stresses. Shot peening is used to increase the life of parts, especially those that are subjected to repetitive loading conditions.
We can conclude that while shot blasting focuses on cleaning and preparing the surface, shot peening focuses on improving the mechanical properties and resistance of the piece by generating residual compression. Despite being two processes with different characteristics, it is important to note that these terms are often used interchangeably in the industry and the specific context may vary.
