― Proposal for a revised working draft, WD 26910-1

Springs — Shot peening — Part 1: General procedures

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
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International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

ISO 26910-1 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 227, Springs.

Annexes A, B and C are for information purposes only.

ISO 26910 consists of the following parts, under the general title Springs ¾ Shot peening:

¾ Part 1: General procedures

¾ Part 2: Peening media

¾ Part 3: X-ray stress measurement

Introduction

The shot peening is widely applied to various mechanical and structural elements in wide range of industrial
fields, because of its effective improvement in the strength and life properties at moderate costs. It is also used
in some cases for the other purposes such as to form thin sheet products, to increase wear resistance, or to
assist lubrication effect, deburring, and so on. It is, however, especially important for spring industries, as it is
indispensable to realize the required fatigue strength and to decrease the stress corrosion cracking.
The important effects by the shot peening are known to be due mainly to the compressive residual stresses
introduced near the shot peened surface, and helped sometimes by the work hardening of the surface layers.
Various processing methods have been developed and practiced together with diverse materials for the shot
peening.
This international standard is prepared to establish a smooth way of technical communication between the
spring manufacturers and the industries related to shot peening, that include peening machine manufacturers,
peening media suppliers and shot peening processors, as well as users of those springs in various industrial
sectors.

© ISO 2002 – All rights reserved 1

 Springs — Shot peening — Part 1: General procedures

1 Scope

This part of ISO 26901 specifies general requirements for the shot peening process applied to springs in order
to improve their resistance to fatigue, stress corrosion cracking, etc., mainly by introducing compressive residual
stresses into their surface layers.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

3.1
shot peening
a cold work applied to the surface of a material or a mechanical element, to improve its fatigue strength and
stress corrosion cracking resistance, by a stream of spherical hard particles at a high velocity that generates
compressive residual stresses and work hardening in the surface layer.

3.2
Peening media
generally spherical or almost spherical hard particles, made of metals, glasses or ceramics, used for the shot
peening. Individual particles may be called as shots.

3.3
peening intensity
intensity of shot peening, dependent on the kinetic energy of shots acting on the unit surface area of the work-
piece per unit time, and is usually evaluated by the arc height.

3.4
test strip
a rectangular metal strip used for evaluating the peening intensity with the magnitude of its bending deformation
after shot peening on one surface.

3.5
arc height
height of the arched deformation of a test strip measured on the basis of an indicated span (mm).

3.6
coverage
area ratio of the dents formed by shot impacts to the area of measuring surface.

3.7
residual stress
internal stress of a material remaining after the removal of external forces and heats applied on it.

3.8
particle size distribution
size distribution of shots.

3.9
ordinary peening
a mode of shot peening using one type of peening media nominally larger than 0,2 mm and resulting an arc
height between 0,15 and 0,6 mm (A).

2 © ISO 2002 – All rights reserved

3.10
multistage peening
a mode of shot peening consisting of a series of peening at different conditions. It is called as two-stage
peening, for example, indicating the number of peening conditions combined.

3.11
stress peening
a mode of shot peening applied under a static force corresponding to the working force of the spring during use.

3.12
warm peening
a mode of shot peening applied at elevated temperatures ranging from 150 to 350 °C for steel springs.

3.13
heavy peening
a mode of shot peening resulting an arc height larger than 0,6 mm (A) using a peening media larger than 0,2
mm.

3.14
fine peening
a mode of shot peening resulting an arc height smaller than 0,15 mm (A) using a peening media not exceeding
0,2 mm.

3.15
X-ray stress measurement
a method for measuring internal stresses near the surface of polycrystalline materials based on X-ray diffraction
techniques.

4 Strategies for conducting the shot peening

Shot peening is a complicated process. The following issues shall be considered and determined, according to
the past experiences or to the expected effects generally admitted, before carrying out the process. It is
preferable that an agreement is made between purchaser and supplier, when both sides have good knowledge
about the process. Annex C gives information about typical shot peening processes for the spring.

4.1 Mode of shot peening

The mode of shot peening shall be either one of the following:
(1) Ordinary peening
(2) Multistage peening
Two-stage peening is the one most practiced. It usually consists of a first stage at an intensive peening
condition with larger shots at higher speeds, and a second stage at moderate or weak condition. The first
stage peening would make higher compressive stresses deep under the surface of a work-piece, while the
compression would be usually poor near the surface. The second peening would act there selectively and then
accomplish the formation of good distribution patterns of residual stresses from the surface to the depth.
(3) Stress peening
Stress peening assures a spring to keep intended compressive residual stresses under the tensile stresses at
its working state. This is one of the frequently used techniques for laminated leaf springs, for example.
(4) Warm peening
Warm peening is based on the ageing effect of steels. It is generally advantageous to realize an enhanced
compressive residual stresses especially in hard steel springs.
(5) Heavy peening
(6) Fine peening
4.2 Conditions of shot peening
The conditions of shot peening shall be defined for the following items:
(1) Type of peening media
(2) Arc height, in combination with the class of test strip
(3) Coverage, indicating the location and area of measurement
(4) Processing time of shot peening, when this applies.
For multistage peening, the conditions of shot peening shall be indicated for individual stages.
NOTE Mechanical properties of peened material do not always correspond to the arc height directly, since the effect
would be variable depending on the size and shape of shots and to the hardness of the material treated.

4.3 Category of shot peening machine

There are two main categories of machines for springs, centrifugal and air-blasting, according to the projection
method of shots. The former is suitable for projecting larger amounts of shots on wider areas treating several
springs together, and the latter for smaller amounts but at higher intensities on more focused areas.
The machine category shall be selected considering the design concepts of springs. Other specific details of the machine
should be clarified, with its identification code, if necessary.

4.4 Protection of non-peening surface

A clear indication shall be made to define areas to apply the shot peeing and areas not to apply. Selected
areas where the peening must not affect shall be protected as required by appropriate means, such as shields,
masks, or adhesive tapes, etc.

4.5 Pre- and post-treatments

Requirements shall be indicated for:
(1) Pre-treatment (cleaning, degrease, ... ,etc.)
(2) Post-treatment (rust protection, coating, wrapping, ... , etc.)
Care should be taken to prevent rusting, as shot peened materials are generally easy to get rusting especially in
moist air.

5 Peening media

The types of peening media shall be as given in Table 1. Detailed specifications and test methods are defined
in the Part 2 of this International Standard.

Table 1 – Types of peening media

Apparent
Nominal
Type Name Code Material density, Shape Hardness, HV
diameter, mm
103 kg/m 3
Cut wire shot CW Steel 7,65 to 7,95 Cylindrical 0,2 to 3 350 to 750
Conditioned cut Rounded
CCW Steel 7,65 to 7,95 0,2 to 3 350 to 850
wire shot cylindrical
Cast
Cast steel shot SS 7,45 min. Spherical 4 max. 200 to 850
steel

6 Test strip

The following test strips shall be used to evaluate the peening intensity.

4 © ISO 2002 – All rights reserved

6.1 Class of test strip
Test strips shall be one of the four classes defined in Table 2, all having the same shape and size as shown in
Figure 1.

Table 2 - Classes of test strip

Thickness, mm Flatness(2)
Class Hardness(1) Material
Nominal Tolerance mm

+0,01
N 0,8 72,5 – 76 HRA 0,025
–0,04
+0,02
A 1,3 44 – 50 HRC 0,025 Carbon steel, with
–0,03
+0,01 0,60 to 0,80 % of carbon
C 2,4 44 – 50 HRC 0,038
–0,04
+0,02
H 1,3 58 – 62 HRC 0,025
–0,03
(1) ISO .... , (2) ISO 1101

Thickness

Figure 1 - Shape and size of test strip (dimensions in mm)

6.2 Selection of the class of test strip

A proper class of test strip shall be selected considering the intensity of shot peening and the hardness of
springs to treat. Different classes of test strips give generally different arc heights according to their thickness
and hardness, even under a same peening condition. There is no exact correlation between the values by
different test strips, except approximate relations:
- strip A gives 1/3 of values by strip N
- strip H gives 1/2 of values by strip A
- strip C gives 1/3.5 of values by strip A
Strip A is for general use in the middle range of peening intensities, and strips N and C are for lower and higher
ranges, respectively. Strip H is used for case-hardened steels, such as nitrided valve springs.
The test strip shall be used for an arc height not greater than 0,6 mm.
NOTE Test strip would behave a lateral distortion under excess peening intensity conditions.

6.3 Holder of the test strip

Test strip shall be fixed on a thick steel holder as defined in Figure 2. It shall have a flat mounting surface with
fastening screws that keep the test strip flat in contact to the surface during peening. Care is required that the
screw heads do not affect the arc height.
The hardness of the holder should be at least 57 HRC to avoid early wear.
 fd1

Head diameter, d1
Nominal Tolerance
Round head 0
9
screw -0.6
Hexagon socket 0
8.5
head cap screw -0.36

Figure 2 - Shape and dimensions of test strip holder

NOTE Values in parentheses are for information only.

7 Measurement of arc height

Arc height shall be measured, on the unpeened surface of the test strip, as the height of the midpoint e from a
reference plane defined by the points a, b, c and d, shown in Figure 3. The value of arc height shall be
determined to a digit of 0,01 mm by appropriate methods. Annex B supplies information about a commonly
used device, known as Almen gauge.
Arc height shall be expressed with the class of test strip in parentheses, as in following examples.
EXAMPLE 0,35 mm (A) : arc height of 0,35 mm by test strip A
0,20 mm (C) : arc height of 0,20 mm by test strip C

Test strip
Arc height

Reference
plane

Figure 3 - Definition of arc height (Dimensions in mm)

8 Evaluation of coverage

Coverage should be evaluated on the surface of the spring in principle for an indicated area that shall be
specified in advance by agreement between purchaser and supplier. The numerical value shall be rounded to
a nearest figures of 5 % steps in accordance with ISO 31-0.

6 © ISO 2002 – All rights reserved

Coverage may be determined by comparing the magnified photographs of peened surface with the standard
photographs given in Annex A.
NOTE : A supplemental strip or coupon may be used to evaluate the coverage by agreement between purchaser and
supplier. It should have an equivalent hardness to the spring to treat and be fixed on a solid holder similar to the test strip
holder. Its surface is preferably polished with a buff for easy observation.

The coverage value could be used in practice to indicate the treatment time of shot peening. In such a case,
the time length to reach 100 % coverage is regarded as a unit. The treatment time would then be expressed
as 200 % coverage time for twice the unit time length, and 300 % coverage time for three times the unit time
length, for example.

9 Shot peening machine

Machines for shot peening shall be able to generate a stream of shots, preferably continuous and uniform, to hit
against the spring to treat. The stream should be hopefully unidirectional and at constant speed, in a practical
sense, so that a desired peening intensity can be obtained by adjusting the layout and the exposure time of
spring in the flow.
Shot peening machines shall have the following functions:
― to limit virtually constant the supply rate of peening media to the flow by means of an orifice or a gate
valve, etc., and
― to adjust the ejecting speed of the media by varying the rotating speed of the wheel, in case of centrifugal
machines, or
― to adjust the ejecting speed of the media by varying the air pressure and/or the flow rate, in case of air
blasting machines.

10 Control of shot peening

Shot peening shall be controlled by checking the following items:

10.1 Arc height

The measurement shall be performed, in principle, at the start and the end of a series of operations under the
same condition. It shall be conducted at every 8 h for more than 8 h of continued operations using cut wire
shot, conditioned cut wire shot and cast steel shot.
The number and arrangement of test strips used for the measurement shall be defined by agreement between
purchaser and supplier.

10.2 Coverage
Frequency of measurement shall be every 8 h in case of cut wire shot, conditioned cut wire shot and cast steel
shot when the operation continues for over 8 h.

10.3 Particle size distribution

The measurement frequency should be determined in accordance with the agreement between purchaser and
supplier.
NOTE The particle size distribution would change itself in the course of peening process. This change is normally
dependent to the conditions of usage of the peening media, namely the peening intensity and the hardness of work-piece.

11 Measurement of residual stress

Residual stresses should be measured to evaluate the actual improvement brought by the shot peening, when
this is agreed between purchaser and supplier. It is recommended that the measurement is made according to
the X-ray method defined in the part 3 of this standard.
NOTE Commercial X-ray instruments are available for easy measurement of residual stresses in springs.

12 Record and report

The following items shall be recorded and reported by request of purchaser.

a) Mode of peening
b) Type of shot
c) Arc height
d) Coverage or processing time
e) Category of peening machine
f) Residual stress when measured

8 © ISO 2002 – All rights reserved

 Annex A (normative) Standard photographs of coverage

A.1 Scope

This Annex specifies the standard photographs of coverage by shot peening.

A.2 Standard photographs

a) Coverage 50 % b) Coverage 70 %

c) Coverage 85 % d) Coverage 100 %

Figure A.1 – Standard photographs of coverage

NOTE Actual values for a), b), c), d) before rounding are: 50,0, 69,8, 85,2 and 97,7, respectively.
 Annex B
(informative)

Almen gauge

B.0 Introduction

This Annex describes the Almen gauge used for the measurement of the arc height. It is not to constitute the
provisions of this Standard.

B.1 Almen gauge

Almen gauge is a special device for measuring the deformation of test strip, as illustrated in Figure B.1. Four
steel balls should create a reference plane for the measurement.

Figure B.1 – Almen gauge (Dimensions in millimeters)

10 © ISO 2002 – All rights reserved

 Annex C (informative) Method of shot peening for springs

C. 1 Scope

This annex describes, for informative purposes, the method of shot peening for steel springs, including hot or
cold formed coil springs and laminated leaf springs that are used for automobiles, rolling stock and construction
machinery.
Note The shot peening shall be applied to the product spring after formed, heat-treated, etc., but before final
assembling, e.g., leaf by leaf for a laminated leaf spring.

C.２ Mode of shot peening

The mode of shot peening shall be determined considering the expected effect for improving the fatigue life, that
can be variable according to the material and product spring. It shall be indicated in the instruction addressed
to the shot peening processors.
Table C1 gives the modes of shot peening most frequently used in different springs.

Table C1 - Modes of shot peening frequently applied in different springs

Ordinary Two-stage Stress Warm

Product spring
peening peening peening peening

Laminated leaf spring X X X

Coil spring for automobile

X X X
Hot suspension
formed
spring Coil spring for rolling
X
stock suspension

Coil spring for

X
construction machinery

Coil spring for automobile

X X X
Cold suspension
formed
spring Coil spring for internal
X X
combustion engine

C. 3 Condition of shot peening

The condition of shot peening shall be determined in accordance with the referred mode of shot peening and
product spring. It shall be indicated in the instruction to the shot peening processors.
Tables C2 to C5 provide experienced conditions in ordinary shot peening, two-stage shot peening, stress
peening and warm peening, respectively.
 Table C2 - Conditions of ordinary shot peening (values are nominal)

Shot
Dimension Arc height Coverage
Product spring
mm Diameter Hardness mm (A) %
mm HV

Leaf thickness
Laminated leaf spring 0,8 to 1,3 580 0,3 85
5 to 45

Coil spring for Wire diameter

0,8 to 1,0 580 0,35 85
automobile 8 to 20

Coil spring for rolling Wire diameter

1,0 to 1,3 580 0,3 85
stock 19 to 53

Coil spring for Wire diameter

1,0 to 1,3 580 0,3 85
construction machinery 14 to 90

Coil spring for internal Wire diameter

0,45 to 0,8 580 0,25 to 0,5 85
combustion engine 2 to 5

Table C3 - Conditions of Two-stage peening (values are nominal)

Shot
Dimension Arc height Coverage
Product spring Stage
mm Diameter Hardness mm (A) %
mm HV

Laminated leaf Leaf thickness First 0,8 to 1,3 580 0,4 85

spring 6 to 50
Second 0,4 to 0,7 580 0,2 85

Coil spring for Wire diameter First 0,8 to 1,0 580 0,35 85
automobile 8 to 20
Second 0,4 to 0,7 580 0,2 85

Coil spring for Wire diameter First 0,6 to 0,8 580 0,5 85
internal combustion 2 to 5
engine Second 0,2 to 0,5 580 0,25 85

Table C4 - Conditions of stress peening (values are nominal)

Leaf Applied Shot

Product Arc height Coverage
thickness stress
spring Diameter Hardness mm (A) %
mm MPa
mm HV

Laminated
5 to 45 600 0,8 to 1,3 580 0,45 85
leaf spring

Table C5 - Conditions of warm peening (values are nominal)

Shot
Wire diameter Temperature Arc height Coverage
Product spring
mm °C Diameter Hardness mm (A) %
mm HV

Coil spring for

8 to 30 200 to 300 0,8 to 1,0 580 0,35 85
automobile

12 © ISO 2002 – All rights reserved

C.4 Control of shot peening

C.4.1 Peening intensity

Arc height shall be measured by test strip with the holder attached parallel onto the treatment surface of the
spring, as close as possible. The set position and the angle of the holder in relation to the shot flow shall be
reported, if any change was made.

C.4.2 Measuring location of coverage

Coverage shall be measured on the surface of the spring, preferably at the most critical area to the fatigue
failure.

C.5 Post-treatment

The peened springs shall be protected against rusting, as the surface is normally activated and easy to get
rusting. No heat or plastic work shall be applied, except unavoidable cases, as they may reduce the effect of
shot peening.