Vibropeening

Vibropeening is a surface enhancement process used to improve the fatigue life and surface durability of metal components. It involves the use of vibrating media to peen a surface, which is a cold working process that introduces compressive residual stresses. These stresses counteract tensile stresses that can lead to fatigue crack initiation and propagation.

The vibropeening process typically takes place in a vibratory bowl or barrel containing the workpieces and a variety of media. The media can consist of ceramic, plastic, or steel shot, as well as other abrasive or polishing materials. The vibratory action causes the media to repeatedly impact the surface of the component, creating small indentations and plastic deformation. This deformation results in the formation of compressive stresses below the surface.

The effectiveness of vibropeening is dependent on several factors, including the type and size of the media, the frequency and amplitude of vibration, the duration of the process, and the material properties of the workpiece. It is commonly applied to critical components such as gears, shafts, springs, and aerospace parts where high fatigue strength is essential.

Compared to other peening methods like shot peening, vibropeening offers advantages such as a more uniform coverage, particularly on complex geometries, and a less aggressive peening action which can be beneficial for delicate parts. The process can also be used for deburring and surface finishing in addition to stress improvement.