Compression shot blasting, also known as Shot Peening, is a precise surface treatment process used to improve the mechanical properties of various materials, especially metals. It consists of bombarding the surface of the piece with small particles at high speed. These particles impact the surface and create controlled plastic deformations, also called surface plastic deformations, which induces residual compression into the surface layer of the material. This compression improves fatigue resistance, durability and corrosion cracking resistance, while reducing the propensity to surface cracks and stresses.

Processes Details

The Shot Peening process is carried out using specific machines designed to shoot the granules against the surface of the part to be treated. Granules are usually made of hard materials, such as steel, glass, or ceramic, and vary in size and shape depending on treatment needs. The intensity and duration of the shooting are carefully controlled to ensure that the desired effects are achieved without causing damage to the part.

During the process, small impact marks are formed on the surface of the part, and these marks are critical to creating beneficial residual compression. These compression stresses significantly improve fatigue resistance and overall mechanical strength. It is essential to control the distribution of marks to achieve uniform coverage across the entire surface.

In addition, Shot Peening is commonly used as a pre-step to hard chrome coating and the HVOF process in the aeronautical industry. In the case of landing gear parts, Shot Peening treatment is performed followed by hard chrome or HVOF coating, and in some cases, the grinding of the hard chrome or HVOF layer is carried out.

TTT Group has the necessary aeronautical certifications to carry out this process with the quality and standards required in the industry.

Parts and Components

This treatment is widely used in various industrial applications to improve the strength and durability of parts subjected to mechanical and cyclic stresses. Among the most common parts that benefit from this treatment are turbine blades, crankshafts, gears, shafts, springs, suspensions, structural components, wings, fuselages, landing gear, drilling equipment parts, transmissions, engines, steering systems, high-demand industrial components, critical components for nuclear reactors and moulds and dies, significantly improving their service life and quality.

Fields of Application

It is mainly used in industrial sectors that seek to improve the strength and service life of components subjected to mechanical stresses. Among the common sectors where this process is applied are aerospace, for aircraft and aerospace components; automotive, for engines and transmission systems; oil and gas, for extraction and refining equipment; energy, for generators and turbines; the manufacturing industry, in machinery and industrial equipment; metallurgy, for critical metal parts; and the nuclear industry, for components in extreme radiation and temperature conditions. Shot Peening plays an essential role in improving the strength and durability of vital components in these sectors, thus contributing to the safety and efficiency of operations.

Shot Peening en Engranajes