Shot peening can be used to produce a layer of compressive stress at the surface of a component. This compression has been shown to significantly improve fatigue life of components by improving resistance to heat checking, micro-cracking, weld fracture and a variety of other problems that arise in cyclical stress environments.
In addition, shot peening can be utilized to simultaneously manipulate the surface topography of components at small scales creating a surface that may be able to release molded/cast parts more readily, better retain lubrication or create a rougher surface to enhance friction properties.
Typical components that are improved by shot peening include:
- Dies
- Structural Fabrications
- Tie Rods
- Molds
- Gears
- Hubs
- Ball Screws
- Springs
- Spindles