Shot Peening Application Service
Kummetal offers professional shot peening services to various industries, primarily the aerospace, defense, automotive, and energy sectors, thanks to its technical expertise, experienced engineering staff, and process control infrastructure.
Our fundamental approach in the shot peening process is to determine the appropriate process parameters by individually evaluating the material, geometry, hardness, operating conditions, and technical requirements of each part. This aims to increase the fatigue strength of the parts, create controlled compressive residual stresses on the surface, and improve service life in critical areas.
What is Shot Peening?
Shot peening is a surface strengthening process performed by impacting the surface of a workpiece with metallic or other suitable types of balls at high speed. The aim is to increase the workpiece’s resistance to fatigue and crack formation by creating residual stresses in the compressive direction in areas close to the surface as a result of controlled plastic deformation.
In shot peening, simply spraying balls onto the workpiece is not sufficient. The effectiveness of the application depends on the controlled management of many parameters such as Almen intensity, saturation point, coverage rate, ball properties, spray angle, distance, ball flow rate, and process time.
Controlled and Repeatable Shot Peening Process
At Kummetal, great importance is placed on keeping process parameters under control and ensuring the repeatability of the shot peening process.
The equipment we use undergoes regular maintenance and inspection programs; the calibration status of the measurement and control equipment required by the process is monitored. The appropriate process method and parameters are determined by evaluating the technical requirements for each workpiece.
During the application process, as needed:
Shot Peening in the Aerospace Industry
In the aerospace industry, shot peening is a significant surface engineering process for increasing the service life of critical parts subjected to high-cycle fatigue.
At Kummetal, we can perform shot peening applications on various gear elements, gear regions, and precision parts with special geometries for the aerospace industry.
Depending on the project and customer technical specifications, applications are planned in accordance with the requirements of relevant AMS and other aerospace standards, process parameters are recorded, and results are reported.
Thanks to our machine and application capabilities suitable for different part sizes, we can develop processes for different product groups, from small precision parts to larger components.
Shot Peening in the Defense Industry
Parts used in the defense industry can operate under heavy mechanical loads, vibrations, repetitive stresses, and harsh operating conditions. Therefore, the shot peening process is used to increase the fatigue strength of many critical parts. Kummetal provides services for the creation and implementation of processes in accordance with Military, AMS, and other applicable standards related to customer technical specifications for defense industry projects. Depending on the geometry of the part, controlled shot peening can be applied to the entire surface or only to critical areas.
Shot Peening in the Automotive Sector
In the automotive sector, shot peening is widely used to increase the strength of parts subjected to dynamic and cyclic loads. Kummetal performs shot peening applications on helical springs, cylindrical springs, plain springs, clutch springs, torsion bars, and similar automotive components. Our facility can apply suitable processes for parts of different sizes, and shot peening operations can be performed on torsion bars up to approximately 3 meters in length. In every application, the controlled and repeatable nature of the process is prioritized.
Shot Peening in the Energy Sector
Parts in the energy sector can operate under high mechanical stresses, temperature variations, vibrations, and long-term cyclical loads. Kummetal has the technical capability to apply local shot peening to all or only critical areas of various components used in the energy sector. Special fixtures, process methods, and application parameters are determined using an engineering approach, according to the part geometry and technical requirements.
Almen Test and Saturation Curve
One of the most important control methods in the shot peening process is the Almen test and saturation curve. Using Almen arc height values obtained at different durations depending on the process requirements, a saturation curve is created, and it is verified whether the process has reached the targeted Almen intensity. This method ensures that the shot peening process is not only applicable but also measurable, verifiable, and repeatable.
Process Reporting
In our shot peening applications, quality control and traceability are an integral part of the process. Depending on the project requirements, a technical report can be provided to the customer at the end of the process, including the applied process parameters, information on the balls used, Almen test results, saturation curve, coverage assessments, and relevant process records.
Thanks to this approach, our customers can track the shot peening process through documented data.
Engineering-Oriented Shot Peening Solutions
At Kummetal, our approach isn’t simply about spraying shot peening onto a part in a shot peening machine. Under the supervision of our experienced engineers, each project is evaluated through the following steps:
material properties → part geometry → operating conditions → technical specifications → process parameters → Almen verification → application → quality control → reporting.
Through this engineering approach, we aim to provide controlled, repeatable, and documented shot peening services for aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, and other industries.
Kummetal Shot Peening
For parts requiring shot peening, you can share technical drawings, material information, hardness values, and any relevant standards or customer specifications with us. After reviewing the part’s requirements, the appropriate shot peening process and application method can be determined.