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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.