Shot Peening VS Shot Blasting

As we all know shot blasting and shot peening are the common processes in metal surface treatment manufacture. They have the same method to spray the abrasive to the metal surface so that they are often conflated. In fact, shot peening and shot blasting are two entirely different functions. So we will explain what is shot peening and shot blasting and the difference between them in this article. Read on to learn what sets them apart.

What is shot peening?

The shot peening is a kind of using the centrifugal force of the blasting turbines to spray the abrasive to hit the metal surface with a higher speed and force to produce plastic deformation to change the mechanical properties. With a higher speed than shot blasting, the surface of the metal will have tiny indentations, a compressive stress layer is formed on the surface of the metal. So as to achieve the strengthening effect on the metal surface. The shot peening machine can improve the durability and service life of the metals and reduce welding distortion.

Shot peening advantages

The benefits of shot peening make it an efficient process for many different industries, many of which also use shot peening. Such as manufacturing, aerospace, casting, construction, and automotive industries.

Let's talk about some advantages about the shot peening:

• In the automatic working process, shot peening is the most cost-effective solution

• After shot peening, the service life of the metal parts will be improved

• Under compressive stress, the material will avoid crack formation

• The hardness of the metal parts will be improved

• The machine has a dust collector that can purify the air before exhausting the atmosphere

How does shot blasting work?

The shot blasting machine uses the centrifugal force of the blasting turbine to spray the abrasive hit onto the metal surface to achieve the purpose of removing the rust, oxide scale, and other dirt on the metal surface. The blasting abrasives include steel shot, steel grit, and other metal balls. Shot blasting is the process used for surface treatment. It is the best way to clean the steel and other metals’ surface. It not only can increase the adhesion of the metal surface but also extend the service life of the paint on the metal surface.

Difference between shot peening and shot blasting

Although shot blasting and shot peening have the same working principle, they have different functions.

Shot blasting is the process used to is clean the rust, oxide scale, and other debris on the metal surface, to prepare the metal for further process procedures, such as painting or welding. Shot blasting can be used in all kinds of industries, which used to use metals.

Shot peening not only can clean the surface but the most important is that it can increase the metal surface hardness to achieve the purpose of strengthening metals. Shot peening is applied in the automotive, construction, and aerospace industries that apply particular metals. The abrasive must be in the exact and same diameter, to avoid unnecessary damage to the metals upon impact.