Abrasive blasting and shot peening are powerful metal finishing techniques that help machinery last longer. This article explores what sets them apart and reveals how each method shields equipment from damage and costly breakdowns.

The Abrasive Blasting Process

Abrasive blasting transforms surfaces on metal, plastic, wood, and glass by cleaning, finishing, and preparing them for the next step. For steel and other metals, it is a crucial step before protective coatings are applied.

This process uses high-pressure air to propel sand, grit, shot, beads, organic materials, or silicon carbide at the surface. These materials clean, polish, and finish parts by removing sharp edges, burrs, old paint, rust, oxidation, and mill scale.

Often called grit blasting or sandblasting, this process streamlines work by cleaning and finishing in one swift step. Thanks to its efficiency, abrasive blasting has become the go-to method for preparing surfaces.

The Shot Peening Process

Shot peening is a trusted technique for gears, turbine blades, cams, and rock drills. By guarding against corrosion, galling, fretting, and cracking, it helps parts last longer. This process also boosts fatigue and wear resistance in lightweight components while smoothing their surfaces.

Shot peening, sometimes called shot blasting, toughens metal parts for the long haul. Tiny round shots bombard the surface at high speed, much like a peen hammer, creating a landscape of overlapping dimples and compressive stress that fortifies the metal beneath.

Since opening its doors in 2000, Enviro Tech Coatings has been a reliable source for professional metal finishing, painting, and coating services far exceeding industry standards. We maintain Air Permits and are a fully approved site for blasting and painting. If you would like a bid on a project, please get in touch with us at 989-495-0000 or visit enviro-tech-coatings.com.