Which automotive components require shot peening?
Shot peening strikes part surfaces with small media shot, removing oxide scale and burrs from cast and forged components while introducing residual compressive stress that raises fatigue strength. In the automotive industry, the components that require shot peening sit mainly in the engine, transmission and steering, and chassis and suspension systems.
Engine System
Shot peening here removes oxide scale and burrs while boosting fatigue strength:
- Crankshafts: peening removes scale and strengthens the journal fillets, preventing fractures from stress concentration.
- Connecting rods: under alternating loads, peening critical areas such as the I-beam section improves fatigue resistance.
- Pistons and ring gears: key internal engine components that require strengthening.
Transmission and Steering Systems
Forged gears and shafts are peened to strengthen contact surfaces and gear roots, improving durability:
- Transmission gears: especially after carburizing and quenching, gear tooth roots need peening to resist bending fatigue — see gear shot peening and metal fatigue.
- Shaft components such as camshafts: peening raises surface hardness and fatigue life.
- Steering system forgings: industry standards require these forged components to be shot peened.
Chassis and Suspension Systems
These parts take repeated impact; stress peening is critical to their service life:
- Leaf springs, coil springs and torsion bars: peening introduces residual compressive stress, greatly improving resistance to bending and torsional fatigue.
- Axle housings: peening welded assemblies counteracts welding-induced tensile stress and can nearly triple fatigue life.
- Wheel hubs and differential housings: typical cast parts peened to remove surface impurities and burrs.
Other Components
- Brake pads: peened for surface hardening and longer service life.
- Suspension control arms: sheet-metal parts peened to remove burrs and rust.
The right media matters: conditioned cut wire shot is commonly used for precise peening of gears and springs. Need a quote for your process? Visit our home page to contact us.