Effect of shot peening on fatigue performance of ductile iron castings

Abstract

Ductile iron is a commonly used structural material. However the unsatisfactory fatigue performance has limited its application for some dynamic loads. Shot peening is a mechanical surface modification process to extend the fatigue life of materials. Results of the influence of the shot peening treatment on ductile iron castings with as-cast surface and machined surface are presented. The results showed that shot peening ductile iron castings could double the fatigue life for an as-cast surface and quadruple the fatigue life for a machined surface. It is believed that shot peening affects fatigue life through the retardation of crack nucleation and growth as a result of the introduction of work hardening, the existence of compressive stresses on the surface layer, and the removal of the surface irregularities of the ductile iron castings.