Abstract: A process for extending the cyclic service life of thermal barrier coatings made of yttrium-stabilized zirconium oxide (YSZ) or the like which have been applied to a substrate with an oxidizing bond coat in between includes increasing or long-term stabilizing the strain tolerance of the thermal barrier coating.

Abstract: A novel treatment method, for improving fatigue life, is provided that aims to resolve problems associated with conventional treatment methods for improving fatigue life of metal by reduction of stress concentration and conventional treatment methods for improving fatigue life of metal by introduction of compressive stress, that is, problems of poor efficiency in work execution, required level of skill of workers, and the impossibility of quality control due to lack of means for measuring the effect after treatment, characterized in that, for locations in metal for which fatigue is a problem, after pre-treatment is performed, ultrasonic impact treatment is performed, and thereafter, a quality assurance test is performed so as to improve the fatigue life of the metal.

Abstract: A steam boiler module or steam boiler assembly or a power station component is composed essentially of an alloyed, in particular chromium-containing material and consists, at least in part of a material which has been treated by surface blasting (shot-peening/shot blasting). With steam boilers having outlet temperatures of ?700° C. in power station components, in particular steam generator modules, the material provides an adequate strength, in particular long-term rupture strength and an adequate corrosion resistance as well as oxidation resistance. The material has a ferritic or martensitic or austenitic structure having a mean chromium content ?18% by weight, and at least a module surface or module group surface or component surface that has been treated, at least in part, by surface blasting (shot-peening/shot blasting).

Abstract: A self indexing portable automated tenon peening device including: a peening machine in operable communication with a mounting arm; a circumferential slide assembly including a circumferential rail in operable communication with the mounting arm; an axial slide assembly including a axial slide rail in operable communication with the circumferential slide assembly; a base in operable communication with the axial slide assembly; and a programmable logic controller for controlling a position of the circumferential slide assembly and the axial slide assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of shot peening at least a portion of a rotary machine comprising a rotor. Shot peening is carried out with a rotor which is at least partly assembled. The method includes fixing a system for supporting at least one acoustic assembly to the machine; and shot peening at least one region of the machine using projectiles which are moved by the acoustic assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of shot peening at least a portion of a rotary machine comprising a rotor. Shot peening is carried out with a rotor which is a least partly assembled. The method includes fixing a system for supporting at least one acoustic assembly to the machine; and shot peening at least one region of the machine using projectiles which are moved by the acoustic assembly.

Abstract: A surface treatment element having a textured surface with a plurality of deforming features is pressed against the surface of an article to induce deep and shallow layers of compressive residual stress to form a continuous layer of compressive residual stress extending from the surface to a depth beneath the surface. A method whereby a surface treatment apparatus is pressed into the surface of the apparatus to cause Hertzian loading thereby inducing a deep, high magnitude compressive residual stress below the surface. The deforming features of the surface treatment element cause the lateral displacement of material on the surface of the article thereby cold working the surface and providing a more shallow layer of compressive residual stress at the surface.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for generating nanostructures in order to obtain in an area on the surface of a metal piece (10) a nanostructured layer of defined thickness, characterized in that it comprises: a step for projecting onto an impact point in the area of the surface of the piece (10) to be treated, for a given duration, at a given speed and at variable incidences at the same impact point, a given quantity of perfectly spherical balls (22) of given dimensions, reused continuously during the projection; repetition of the preceding step with a shift of the impact point so that the impact points as a group cover the entire surface of the piece to be treated; a step for treatment by diffusion of chemical compounds into the nanostructured layer generated during the step for implementing the method for generating nanostructures.

Abstract: Steel wire is coated with a metal layer such that the metal layer has a surface with roughnesses. A surface roughness Ra of above 0.25 ?m is reached. Preferably, the roughnesses are randomly dispersed at the surface. The result is an improved visual aspect and an increased resistance against corrosion.

Abstract: A metallic article with improved fatigue performance and resistance to corrosive attack and stress corrosion cracking is produced by treating a first area of a metallic article with a first surface treatment that induces a specified amount of cold work. A second, sacrificial area of the metallic article in electrical communication with the first area is treated with a second surface treatment that induces an amount of cold work higher than that of the first surface treatment. Due to the differences in cold work resulting from the different surface treatments, the second area of the metallic article is less noble than the first area and is therefore more susceptible to corrosive attack. As a result, the second sacrificial area will preferentially corrode leaving the first area protected from corrosive attack. Compressive residual stresses induced in the surface of the metallic article through the surface treatments improve the fatigue performance and resistance to stress corrosion cracking.

Abstract: Leaf springs have improved durability in spite of using inexpensive spring steel such as SUP9 and SUP11 as materials. While a spring main body, made of the spring steel in which Brinell hardness is under 555 HBW and not less than 388 HBW (corresponding to a diameter of under 2.70 mm of hardness and not less than 3.10mm of hardness on a Brinell ball mark), is maintained at 150 to 400° C., the load is applied in the direction in which the spring main body is to be used, and the first shotpeening is performed at the plane where the tensile stress acts.

Abstract: A method and a device for easily setting a processing condition from a dent rate of a product by giving an arbitrary dent producing condition and a shotblast processing condition in a shotblasting process. The method calculates a processing time, a projection amount and a projection material speed for enabling a target dent rate to be set, from the number of dents in a predetermined dent unit area and time. The method comprises the steps of: calculating a dent unit area from a projection material hardness, a projection material particle size, a projection material speed and the hardness of a processed product; calculating the number of dents required to attain a predetermined target dent rate; and calculating a processing time from the number of dents, a projection amount, a projection material density and the projection material particle size.

Abstract: A method is provided for altering residual stresses in a fiber-metal-laminate structure. At least a first fiber laminate substrate layer having first and second surfaces is provided. At least a first outer metallic laminate layer having third and fourth surfaces is provided, and the first and fourth surface is provided, and the first and fourth surfaces are bonded together. The third surface is peened, such that the at least first fiber laminate substrate layer is subjected to residual tensile stresses and the at least first outer metallic laminate layer is subjected to residual compression stresses. Peening defines a peened region that extends from the third surface into the at least first outer metallic laminate layer a finite distance that is closer to the third surface than the fourth surface.

Abstract: A structural part includes a plate-shaped base body and ribs that extend longitudinally approximately parallel to one another, and that are joined integrally to and protrude orthogonally from the base body. In a shaping method, the structural part is shaped by particles of blasting or peening shot, which strike the surface areas of the structural part at a high velocity to cause a plastic deformation thereof. Opposite surface areas of the ribs, located on opposite longitudinal sides of each rib, are simultaneously subjected to the action of particles of the blasting shot. An apparatus to perform the method includes two nozzles arranged facing toward one another with the rib therebetween, to form two jets of the blasting shot particles directed toward one another at the rib.

Abstract: Device for carrying out a blasting treatment of the inner wall of a channel with a stream of balls which, for treating curved channels, has a tube for introducing the stream of balls into a channel, a stream deflection and outlet device at the end of the tube on the outlet side and a casing in the form of a helical spring on the outer side of the tube.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic blank into a shaped article useful as an enclosure for an implantable medical device is described. The method entails a plurality of steps in a particular order to obtain certain finish characteristics. Some of them are a surface roughness for bond ability and/or a uniform surface finish on the drawn section of the blank. The preset steps must be completed in a particular order; otherwise the desired characteristics are not provided.

Abstract: The shot peening method and apparatus (FIG. 13) of the present invention utilizes control of the shot peening coverage to provide higher surface compression and comparable depth of compression to conventional 100% coverage peening but with reduced cold working providing improved thermal stability and reduction in shot peening time and cost. A preferred embodiment of this invention employs x-ray diffraction (FIG. 13) residual stress and percent cold work determinated by line broadening to establish the optimal degree of coverage for a given material and shot peening intensity.

Abstract: A shotpeen nozzle includes a tubular core mounted in a casing. The casing has an inlet for receiving shot in a stream of pressurized air, and the core includes an outlet for discharging the stream. A laser is mounted to the casing for projecting a laser beam in parallel with the core at its outlet in the direction of discharge of the stream therefrom.

Abstract: In a laser shock peening process, the shape of the spot generated by the laser beam is changed on the fly. This is achieved, for example, by a masking device which is movable into and out of the path of the laser beam. Laser shock peening spots can consequently be shaped so as to avoid the spots overlapping an edge of the workpiece, or any other feature which may be damaged by the laser energy.

Abstract: The portion of an orthopaedic implant to which soft tissue adherence is desired is treated by shot peening using microbead having a diameter in the range of about 10 microns–300 microns. This treatment causes indentations on the surface of the implant of about 10 microns to about 50 microns to provide a fine, shallow texturing of the implant that permits the soft tissue to adhere, but is not rough enough that it will interlock with hard tissue.

Abstract: A process for treating surfaces of rare earth metal-based permanent magnets, comprising removing an oxide layer formed on a surface of each of the permanent magnets using a blasting apparatus. The apparatus comprises a tubular barrel formed of a mesh net for accommodation of work pieces and supported circumferentially outside a center axis of a support member rotatable about the center axis, and an injection nozzle disposed to inject a blast material against the work pieces from the outside of the tubular barrel, wherein at least one of the tubular barrel and the support member is detachably mounted. The process further comprises removing the tubular barrel or the support member from the blasting apparatus and attaching the tubular barrel or the support member to a vapor deposited film forming apparatus, where a metal film is formed on the surface of each of the permanent magnets by a vapor deposition process.

Abstract: A method for determining an equilibrium configuration for an object to be subjected to peening includes representing a bulk geometry of the object as a solid body and representing a surface of the object as a surface layer overlying the solid body. The method further includes expanding the surface layer in response to a number of thermal loads to simulate peening and balancing a number of forces on the surface layer and the solid body to determine the equilibrium configuration of the object after peening.

Abstract: A microcavity forming device is provided for making microcavities in a tungsten wire. The microcavity forming device includes a source of particles; a housing for receiving a heated tungsten wire; and a plurality of jet nozzles disposed in the housing for spraying the particles toward the heated tungsten wire. The particles are 0.35–0.75 micron in diameter. The heated tungsten wire is received in the housing and the jet nozzles spray the particles toward the tungsten wire to form the microcavities in the tungsten wire.

Abstract: A suspension component for an automobile, such as a stabilizer bar, is provided and includes at least one localized portion having a strengthened outer surface. The localized portion is positioned at a location of highest stress along the suspension component. A method of forming the suspension component is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel injector has an orifice member having an aperture for injecting atomizing and metering fuel. The orifice member is made of a plate material. The orifice member is machined to form the aperture. Then, the orifice member is processed by at least two shot blasting process in opposite directions to remove burrs and trim edges of the aperture. After the process, the orifice plate is inspected by measuring an actual flow rate of the aperture. Then, the orifice plate is processed by a shot blasting process again in accordance with the measured flow rate and a target flow rate.

Abstract: A mechanical transducer induces liquid cavitation, causing pressure waves in a liquid which are applied against a metal surface to afford localized elastic and plastic tensile microstrain. The pressure waves alter the surface tensile stresses in the treated metal by reducing the tensile stresses or forming surface compressive stresses. A boot is provided about the operating face of the transducer for confining a liquid through which compression waves are generated and applied to the metal surface, the boot sealing about the transducer and the surface undergoing treatment.

Abstract: A throwing wheel assembly including a rotatable wheel and one or more throwing blades each removably positionable on the face of the wheel in a throwing position, the throwing blades having holding structures projecting therefrom and the improvement comprising one or more retainers which are removably positionable in a recess provided in the wheel face and which and are adapted for removably receiving and retaining the blade holding structures.

Abstract: A panel, such as is intended for an aircraft wing panel, has continuous ribs extending on one surface. The panel is formed, or given a dihedral bend, by shot peening the ribs at a V-shaped section to expand the V-shaped sections and thus deform the panel. A strong formed panel is thus provided with continuous ribs. Further shot peening steps can be carried out on the panel for further shaping.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a high-pressure fuel accumulator of an internal engine fitted with an accumulator injection system, wherein a metal hollow pressure accumulator is produced, branches are subsequently made therein for the connection of pressure lines, said branches being respectively provided with a radius on the inner edges thereof leading to a cavity of the pressure accumulator by means of a shot blasting method and a cylindrical lance having a conical tip with a smaller diameter than that of the cavity of the pressure accumulator is guided counter to the direction of the blasting of the balls used for blasting according to said shot blasting method. According to the invention, each inner edge is blasted successively in both directions in which the cavity of the pressure accumulator extends and the lance is respectively guided in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A chain including chain pins 15, which connect an inner link plate and an outer link plate, are made of carburized or refined steel, and have the entire surface on which a large number of dimples 17 are provided which are formed through a primary shot peening performed at an arc height value of 0.35 to 0.8 mmA. Furthermore, dimples 21 with a size smaller than that of the dimples 17 are formed by applying a secondary shot peening performed at an arc height value smaller than that of a primary shot peening to the dimples 17 which have been subjected to the primary shot peening.

Abstract: A sacrificial metal coating to resist corrosion is deposited onto a vehicle component during a shot peening operation. Since the deposition occurs during the shot peening operation, a separate coating step is not necessary. Preferably, the component is a vehicle suspension component.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for transverse ultrasound peening of blades (2) on a rotor which consists in driving in rotation the wheel (3) bearing the blades (2) about its geometrical axis (6) arranged substantially vertically and in causing the blades (2) to pass through a mist of microbeads produced by a vibrating surface (20) in an active chamber (12) arranged laterally relative to the wheel. The active surface (20) is located beneath the path of the blades (2). Preferably, the active chamber (12) comprises a second vibrating surface above the path of the blades (2). The invention also concerns a machine for implementing said method.

Abstract: A centrifugally projecting apparatus is provided to allow a liner to be easily exchanged, to prevent projecting members from projecting through the connected parts of the liner components, and to prevent an impeller cover from being abraded. The apparatus comprises bolts 36, 36a and a fixing member (hook members 24, 24) to press first and second-side liner components 31, 31A, front and rear-side liner components 34, 34A, and a frame-liner component 37 against a ceiling-side liner component 39 so that they are fixed to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a highly attractive, decorative baseball bat. The apparatus of the invention enables the manufacture of decorative baseball bats that exhibit a wide variety of attractive designs. More particularly, the apparatus includes a uniquely configured, inexpensive masking member that can be slipped over the barrel of the bat so as to make selective portions of the baseball bat during the sandblasting step of the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of improving wear-resistance and anti-seizing properties of slide surface of machineries, such as outer slide surfaces of piston pins of vehicle engines, wherein slide surfaces of iron or steel base materials of machineries are first processed carburizing, then the carburized surfaces are plated with chromium, and next the chromium-plated surfaces undergo impulses fine peening to produce lubricant-retaining cavities on the slide surfaces, which include fine cavities in the form of depressions in the chromium-plating layer and relatively large cavities produced by exfoliation of the chromium-plating layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a high-pressure fuel accumulator of an internal engine fitted with an accumulator injection system, wherein a metal hollow pressure accumulator is produced, branches are subsequently made therein for the connection of pressure lines, said branches being respectively provided with a radius on the inner edges thereof leading to a cavity of the pressure accumulator by means of a shot blasting method and a cylindrical lance having a conical tip with a smaller diameter than that of the cavity of the pressure accumulator is guided counter to the direction of the blasting of the balls used for blasting according to said shot blasting method. According to the invention, each inner edge is blasted successively in both directions in which the cavity of the pressure accumulator extends and the lance is respectively guided in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A method is provided for altering residual stresses in a fiber-metal-laminate structure. At least a first fiber laminate substrate layer having first and second surfaces is provided. At least a first outer metallic laminate layer having third and fourth surfaces is provided, and the first and fourth surface is provided, and the first and fourth surfaces are bonded together. The third surface is peened, such that the at least first fiber laminate substrate layer is subjected to residual tensile stresses and the at least first outer metallic laminate layer is subjected to residual compression stresses. Peening defines a peened region that extends from the third surface into the at least first outer metallic laminate layer a finite distance that is closer to the third surface than the fourth surface.

Abstract: The novel methods, apparatus and reworked rotary braking surface product, for example those exhibited on interior cylindrical braking surfaces of a cast iron brake drum, serve to replace manufacturing defects exhibiting residual tensile stresses and outwardly directed tool marks with smooth compressed braking surfaces in a final manufacturing stage. The plastically deformed surface shape with reduced roughness and surface irregularities furthermore presents improved braking strength above the yield point and approaching the ultimate material strength of the base drum material. An ultrasonic transducer drives individual freely moving impact elements of a set at frequencies up to 55 kHz into the braking surface to effect plastic deformation at surface and sub-surface layers.

Abstract: There is provided a surface treated product that moves relatively in a fluid, wherein a surface of the surface treated product has continuous dimples, each dimple having a diameter of 10 to 2500 &mgr;m and a depth of 50 &mgr;m or less. The surface treated product significantly reduces resistance of a fluid to an object in the fluid, and significantly improves a flow state of the fluid.

Abstract: A system for shot peening that includes an enclosure in which are provided a workpiece W to be shot peened and a nozzle for projecting the shot particles. A memory stores data for maximizing the anticipated shot-peening intensity at the workpiece based on the predetermined conditions of the shot peening. Then a calculating circuitry determines the conditions of the shot peening to be carried out in the system to maximize an anticipated shot-peening intensity at the workpiece based on the stored data from the memory and the selected type of the shot-peening process to be applied to the workpiece before the shot particles have been actually projected. The nozzle is then actuated under the determined conditions such that it projects the shot particles and directs them onto the workpiece. The shot-peening intensity of the actually projected shot particles at the workpiece is measured by a measuring device.

Abstract: A blast wheel housing comprising front and rear walls, a pair of end walls integrally joined along adjacent edges to the front and rear walls, a top secured to the upper edges of the walls, an opening formed in the front wall, an access door hingedly connected to the front wall so as to selectively close the opening, an aperture formed in the access door, and a feed chute detachably secured to the access door for the purpose of feeding shot through the aperture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaping structural parts, in particular, those for use in aviation and space travel. The structural parts comprise a plate-shaped base body and ribs. Said ribs are longitudinally extended, are approximately parallel to one another, are joined to the base body while forming one piece, and protrude from the base body in orthogonal manner. The part is shaped by particles of an abrasive, which strike the surface areas of the structural part at a high velocity whereby effecting a plastic material shaping. The aim of the invention is to realize a method that can be carried out in a simple and cost-effective manner with which diverse uniaxial and multiaxial part geometries can be attained. To this end, the invention provides that opposite surface areas of the ribs, said surface areas being located on opposite longitudinal sides of each jib, are simultaneously subjected to the action of particles of the abrasive.

Abstract: A method of producing a plate spring is disclosed which allows one to adjust the load-displacement characteristics thereof to a desired degree. The method includes stamping slits and a small diameter hole from a disk-shaped plate member, and forming the plate spring into a cone shape. Shot-peening is then performed on a resilient portion of the plate spring that retains a flat cone shape in the free state. Furthermore, shot-peening is performed on only a portion of the resilient portion and not on the entire surface of the plate spring.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a hollow stabilizer comprises a primary pipe manufacturing process for subjecting a seam-welded pipe to hot reduction working, thereby obtaining a primary pipe, and winding the primary pipe in a coil, a cold drawing process for subjecting the primary pipe to cold drawing so that the rate of reduction in area is not lower than 30%, thereby obtaining a thick-walled pipe having a wall thickness ratio of 0.20 to 0.27 higher than that of the seam-welded pipe and tensile strength of 800 N/mm2 to 1,000 N/mm2 is obtained, an internal shot peening process to be carried out as required, a bending process for bending the thick-walled pipe into a desired stabilizer shape in a cold state, an annealing process for subjecting the pipe to stress relieving annealing at a temperature of 300° C. to 450° C., after the bending process, and a shot peening process for shot-peening the annealed pipe.

Abstract: A method for shot peening wherein peening shot having a Vickers hardness (Hv) in the range of 900-1100 and a Young's modulus of 200,000 MPa or less, is used, and wherein a treated article is obtained by such a method that has a maximum residual compressive stress of 1600 MPa or more and a surface roughness of 5 microns or less.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of manufacturing an endless metallic belt adjusts a circumferential length of the belt by subjecting the endless metallic belt to a shot peening treatment. For example, by measuring the circumferential length prior to the shot peening treatment and determining the condition of the shot peening treatment on the basis of the measured length, and/or by measuring the circumferential length during the shot peening treatment and terminating the shot peening treatment on the basis of the measured length.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for detecting the intensity of shot peening by detecting at least one of the number of shot that have collided with the apparatus and the intensity of the colliding shot, comprising a box-like case having an opening at its top; a first resilient member disposed under the top of the case; a hollow supporting member resiliently supported in the case between the first resilient member and a second resilient member which is mounted in the case, the hollow supporting member including a third resilient member mounted therein; a shot collision propagating member supported by the hollow supporting member to close the opening of the top of the box-like case by way of the first resilient member, the shot collision propagating member producing and propagating an elastic wave when colliding with a shot; a transducer, for receiving the propagating elastic wave from the shot collision propagating member and converting the elastic wave to high frequency signals, disposed in the hollow supporting member

Abstract: A preventive maintenance method and apparatus for a structural member in a reactor pressure vessel according to the present invention reduce a tensile residual stress on a surface of the structural member by impinging a water jet from a nozzle onto a plane surface of a deflector to thereby change direction of flow of the water jet, and impinging the water jet after being deflected onto the surface of the structural member. This method and apparatus are applicable to a narrow space portion, and can improve a residual stress on the surface of the structural member and can also prevent damage such as stress corrosion cracking.

Abstract: A sensing element, disposed in a housing, has a gas contact portion exposed to a measured gas. A protective cover extends from a distal end of the housing so as to surround the gas contact portion of the sensing element. A first metallic cover surrounds signal output terminals and leads connected to the sensing element. In manufacturing the first metallic cover, a shot blasting is applied to a surface of a semi-finished product of the first metallic cover.

Abstract: Disclosed is a strength-enhancing apparatus for a metal part comprising a recovery mechanism for sucking powder flow dust generated from glass beads crushed on a surface of a gear in a chamber to recover it together with drainage, wherein the recovery mechanism includes a liquid-spouting means arranged on a ceiling in the chamber, for effecting showering for the whole interior of the chamber. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably recover the mist containing the powder flow dust floating in the chamber, and it is possible to reliably avoid adhesion and accumulation of the powder flow dust.