Shot peening: how a surface finish can avoid fatigue stress cracking
maggio 12, 2022
The mechanical components are subject to atmospheric agents that wear them out. For this reason, a heat treatment usually comes into play to strengthen the piece. If you remember a while ago we talked about surface treatments. Today we face together the case history of one of our historical customers who presented us with a shaft that has completely broken due to excessive effort.
Shot peening to improve the strength of a mechanical component
Shot peening is a mechanical process used in various sectors and the idea is to work the metal cold to modify it. As you can understand from the name, the technique is based on the use of small balls to create plastic deformations on the surface. This helps to stretch the surface and loosen the tensions of the metal, making it more resistant.
On a technical level, this production process does not involve the removal of metal because the deformations are very small and directly compress the material.
The fields of application arevarious, but it is mainly used in all those sectors where it is necessary to guarantee safety and longevity. Among all the automotive and aeronautics.
How does it work?
The ceramic spheres hit the surface, creating a thin layer that protects against corrosion and the propagation of any breakage. This technique has several advantages including its low cost which allows it to be used easily and easily on large surfaces. The collision of the spheres with the metal surface creates roughness which is directly proportional to the intensity of the impact.
Case history shaft breaking
As the literature pursues, shot peening is widely used as a solution to stress rupture. This occurs as a result of wear or because the tension exerted on the metal is excessive compared to its construction characteristics. In the case that happened to us, the piece broke at the base in the form of a mold so it was possible to recover it by strengthening that part. This solution is not known by many of our customers, in fact in the surrounding case we have suggested shot peening to solve the problem.
G.S.I. stands not only as a supplier, but as a partner for the realization of your project.
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