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Is shot peening and shot blasting the same process?

Shot blasting is a surface preparation technique that uses a controlled stream of abrasive media (like steel shot or grit) directed at a surface to remove contaminants, rust, old coatings, or imperfections.

It is widely used to prepare surfaces for coating, painting, or bonding by creating a clean, roughened profile that enhances adhesion. It is crucial for achieving a lasting coating bond; however, this process does not necessarily enhance the metal’s structural integrity.

Shot blasting is primarily used on metal surfaces, though it can also be applied to other materials, including concrete, making it a more flexible technique to use. Industries like construction, automotive, and marine often rely on shot blasting to ensure that coatings or finishes will bond effectively and withstand wear and corrosion. This makes shot blasting an essential step in surface preparation for long-term durability.

When shot blasting, using equipment such as blast rooms, blast cabinets, and automated machinery allows for controlled, large-scale cleaning and preparation. Operators should be fully trained and compliant with health and safety before using such equipment.

Unlike shot blasting, shot peening is not primarily a cleaning or roughening process. Instead, it is used to strengthen and enhance the fatigue life of metal components.

In shot peening, small spherical media (such as glass beads or steel shot) is propelled at the surface, creating a layer of compressive stress. This stress adds strength without significantly altering its profile, therefore making the metal more durable under high-stress conditions, and helping to resist fatigue, cracking, and corrosion.

Shot peening is especially popular in aerospace, automotive, and heavy equipment manufacturing, where components face extreme operational stresses, therefore making durability a top priority. By enhancing the metal’s ability to resist fatigue and cracking, shot peening prolongs the operational life of critical components, such as gears, turbine blades, and springs.

Often this process uses automated peening machines or robotic systems for precision, ensuring the exact compressive stress required for optimal durability. Operators should be fully trained and compliant with health and safety before using such equipment.

We assisted Techman Engineering in developing their own custom shot peening machines, which you can read more about in our case study here.

To summarise:

Aspect	Shot Blasting	Shot Peening
Goal	Surface cleaning/preparation	Surface strengthening
Media Used	Steel shot	Spherical shot (steel, glass beads)
Surface Effect	Removes coatings, rust; creates surface roughness	Induces compressive stress; enhances fatigue resistance
Typical Applications	Preparing surfaces for painting, bonding	Strengthening metal for stress resilience

 

Shot blasting and shot peening, though similar in concept, are tailored for distinct purposes; one prepares surfaces for treatment, while the other strengthens them against wear and fatigue.

In some cases, both processes may be applied to the same surface, especially if it needs both a clean profile and enhanced durability. For example, a metal part could be shot blasted to remove contaminants and prepare for coating, then shot peened to improve its resistance to fatigue. However, using both processes isn’t always necessary and depends on the specific requirements of the part and the industry standards.

In industries where performance and reliability are paramount, understanding the nuances of these processes and knowing the differences is essential when choosing the correct method for your application, to help achieve the best results for long-lasting, resilient surfaces and parts.

View our range of blasting equipment, parts and spares here.

Airblast sell a variety of blasting abrasive, suitable for both shot blasting and shot peening. Our blast abrasive is available to view here. For prices or guidance on selecting the right media, you can contact our team who would be happy to assist you.