An Explanation of the Mechanism and Benefits of Shot Peening

Author:  Douglas Earl, 3-M Company, St. Paul, MN
Source:  The Shot Peener magazine, Vol 05/Issue 1, Spring 1991
Doc ID:  1991108
Year of Publication:  1991
Abstract:  
It is possible to enhance certain properties of some materials to enable them to better meet the needs of critical designs. Most of us are familiar with the use of heat treatments to improve the properties of metal alloys. Such treatments can be used to increase the hardness of a knife blade so that it will remain sharp for a longer period of time than will an untreated blade. Similarly, the strength of a bolt can be increased through heat treatment so that a smaller bolt can be used in an application that would otherwise require a much larger bolt.