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What is peening?

Frequently Asked Questions

Peening is a cold working process in which the surface of the component is deliberately deformed, in
the basic method, by hammering.

During peening, the surface layer attempts to expand laterally but is prevented from doing so by the
elastic nature of the sub-surface, bulk material. This results in the development of beneficial,
compressive residual stresses in the surface layer, which are balanced by tensile residual stresses
elsewhere.

The layer of compressed surface material produced by peening resists the development and
propagation of cracks and increases resistance to fatigue failure, corrosion fatigue, stress corrosion
and cavitation erosion. The main peening techniques are:

 shot
 roto (flail)
 needle
 hammer
Shot peening

This method involves bombardment of the metal surface by spherical shot. The shot consists of
rounded particles of cast iron, cast steel or stainless steel in various mesh sizes.

In practice, a high velocity stream of air is used to propel the shot. Both mechanised and manual
systems are used, depending on the particular component and area to be treated.

Roto (flail) peening

In roto or flail peening, the surfaces are impacted by two or more shot-coated flaps which extend
radially from a spindle. Each flap consists of shot (cast steel or tungsten carbide) embedded into a
wire mesh or fibre. The tool is inserted into the chuck of a drill (typical rotation speed 3000rpm) and
the rotating flaps brought into contact with the surface. The shot energy is determined by the
rotational speed.

Needle peening
This technique uses what is essentially a de-scaling gun but with needles having radiussed ends. The
cluster of metal needles is usually made from hardened tool steel. In operation, the surface being
treated receives repeated and multiple impacts.

Hammer peening

Hammer peening is similar to needle peening except that a single metal rod, rather than a cluster of
needles, is used and applied in a similar way. The basic method, using the ball end of a hammer, is
often used as a means of applying stress relief between weld passes when making highly stressed
welds.

Process controls

Where peening techniques are used to increase service performance, strict and positive process
controls are necessary, even to the inclusion of computer control, to provide reliable and consistent
results for compliance with company and national specifications.

Peening is also employed during the welding of cast iron and, in certain cases, where post-weld heat
treatment is not possible.

Further information

Methods of fatigue life improvement for welded joints in medium and high strength steels. This PDF
file is available only to TWI Industrial Members.

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