The use of Shot-Peening as a means of Reducing Fatigue Failures in Metal Components

Abstract

Shot-peening is the term used to describe the process of hammering the surface of metal machine and structural parts with relatively high velocity stream of steel or chilled iron particles.This treatment cold-works and pre-stresses the surface of the component and as a result its resistance to failure by fatigue may, under favourable conditions, he considerably improved. The process has been applied to a variety of parts and in many cases quite spectacular increases in fatigue life have been recorded. For example, Almenl gave the results of peening some typical machine components such as shafts, gears and springs which showed increases in life after peening of 400 to 1400 per cent.