Shot Peening of Aircraft Parts

Shot peening is a cold working surface treatment used in the aerospace industry to increase fatigue strength, reduce stress corrosion cracking, and improve durability of aircraft components. The process involves bombarding the surface of a part with small, spherical media (shots) at high velocity, inducing compressive stresses that enhance resistance to cracking and wear.

Shot peening is commonly applied to landing gear, turbine blades, wing components, fuselage structures, and fasteners to extend service life and enhance structural integrity.

How Shot Peening Works

1. Surface Preparation The part is cleaned to remove dirt, oil, or oxidation that could interfere with the peening process.
2. Shot Peening Process A stream of small steel, ceramic, or glass beads is propelled at the surface using air pressure, centrifugal force, or gravity-fed systems. The impact of the shots creates tiny indentations, introducing residual compressive stress in the surface layer.
3. Post-Peening Inspection The part is inspected using Almen strips, surface roughness measurements, and non-destructive testing (NDT) to ensure compliance with specifications.

Benefits of Shot Peening for Aircraft Components

✅ Increases Fatigue Life – Enhances resistance to cracking, pitting, and metal fatigue caused by cyclic loading. ✅ Improves Stress Corrosion Resistance – Prevents corrosion-related cracking in high-stress environments. ✅ Enhances Wear Resistance – Reduces surface wear and erosion, especially in landing gear and rotating components. ✅ Repairs Manufacturing Defects – Can reduce the impact of machining marks, microcracks, and welding stress. ✅ Lightweight Strength Enhancement – Increases durability without adding weight, making it ideal for aerospace applications.

Aerospace Applications of Shot Peening

✔ Landing Gear & Struts – Strengthens components that endure high loads and impacts. ✔ Turbine Blades & Engine Components – Enhances high-temperature fatigue resistance in jet engines. ✔ Aircraft Wing Structures – Increases resistance to metal fatigue and stress concentration. ✔ Fasteners & Bolts – Improves durability and stress resistance in critical connections. ✔ Helicopter Rotors & Propeller Blades – Strengthens thin-walled components exposed to repetitive stress.

Comparison: Shot Peening vs. Other Surface Treatments