Shot Peening of Fabricated Structures

The purpose of this paper is to focus on controlled shot peening and provide design engineers with an understanding of an important tool for extending the fatigue life of fabricated structures, with emphasis of the beneficial effects directed at weldments. It will accentuate the theory and effects of shot peening, the effects of residual stress on metal fatigue and stress corrosion cracking, and the process controls necessary for reliability and repeatability. Historically, by prestressing the surface in compression, the fatigue life and strength of dynamically loaded metal parts are extended substantially.