Using Shot Peening to Multiply the Life of Compressor Components

Author:  John S. Eckersley & Buzz Ferrelli, MIC
Source:  The Shot Peener magazine, Vol 06/Issue 3, Fall 1992
Doc ID:  1992078
Year of Publication:  1992
Abstract:  
Reprinted from Proceedings of the 1992 International Compressor Engineering Conference at Purdue University ABSTRACT Fatigue life increases, by orders of magnitude, can be expected on compressor components treated by Shot Peening - a controlled process that involves the bombardment of the metal component by millions of spherical particles of steel, glass or ceramic. Shot Peening is being applied to crankshafts and con-rods of huge reciprocating compressors and to the small valve reeds, only a few thousands of an inch thick, that are the heart of refrigeration and air conditioning sealed units. In what is perhaps the "ultimate" in design of axial and centrifugal compressors, the modern jet engine, Shot Peening is used on all rotating parts, as well as many of the stationary ones, to prevent premature failures from metal fatigue, corrosion and fretting fatigue, and from stress corrosion cracking. The paper reviews these and other applications for compressor engineers so that they will be able to increase the life and/or the loading on both new and existing designs, without increasing size or adding weight to critical components. The controlling parameters of the Shot Peening Process are also discussed.