How Shot Peening Is Used In The Automotive Industry
Over the years, many surface preparation techniques have been developed. Sandblasting or sanding is one of the most common methods. This method can remove surface imperfections on the material in preparation for painting, powder-coating, or electrocoating. Shot peening (in Germany this is known as kugelstrahlen) is closely related to sandblasting, but it has several differences. While sandblasting uses abrasive particles to smoothen surfaces, shot peening uses small steel balls. These round steel balls are hurled to the target area at high velocity. The impact is known to harden metallic surfaces and eliminate any imperfections.
Shot Peening in the Automotive Industry
This technique is popular in the Auto and aerospace industries. It is mainly used to harden metal pieces to improve their strength, hardness, and durability. Since mankind invented metal tools and weapons, the hammering of metal pieces has been used for the hardening and strengthening of metallic tools. Instead of using a hammer to hit a piece of metal hundreds of times to achieve the desired effect, smooth metal balls are accelerated towards the surface. The results obtained are superior in quality and the process can be completed quickly and with precision.
Manufacture of Limousines
Limousines are high-end vehicles with superior body designs. These high-end vehicles normally go through a shot peening process to harden the chassis and sheet metal used to make the body. This means that the materials used to make limousines are not only more durable but can withstand compressive and tensile stresses. They also have minimal surface imperfections as any imperfections are eliminated during the shot-peening process.
Suspension System of Limousines
Limousines, just like other vehicles, have a suspension system. The coil springs in these vehicles are usually shot-peened to improve their durability, strength, and hardness. Other types of springs that also undergo shot peening include clutch springs and leaf springs. Gear parts, camshafts, valves, cams, rock drills, gear wheels, and turbine blades may also be shot-peened.
Advantages
Shot peening has many advantages over sandblasting. The technique can be used for:
- Strengthening materials
- Improving hardness- Eliminating surface imperfections
- Straightening surfaces
- Preventing crack formation under compressive stress
- Improving the durability of metals- It's economical
Please note that shot peening also has some shortcomings. For instance, the impact of the high-velocity steel balls can damage thin metal sheets. This means that it can only be used on thick workpieces.
Shot peening services are only offered by professionals with the right equipment, experience, and expertise. It is recommended you take the time to search for the best service provider for your needs. For this reason, you must compare the experiences of the top-rated firms. Only firms that have been in the industry for several years and have experienced staff should be added to your shortlist. Ideally, you should also do some research on the reputation of the shortlisted firms. You want to hire a firm with a reputation for getting the job done promptly, within budget, and to the satisfaction of the client. The cost estimates provided by the shortlisted firms should also be compared because you'd like to get value for money.