Shot Particle Shapes

Author:  Dr. David Kirk, Coventry University, U.K.
Source:  The Shot Peener magazine, Vol 17 / Issue 4, Fall 2003
Doc ID:  2003066
Year of Publication:  2003
Abstract:  
INTRODUCTION The ideal shape for a shot particle is a sphere, but real shot particles are not perfect spheres. The most commonly employed media are cast steel and iron shot, cut steel wire shot, glass beads and ceramic beads. These media are manufactured either by spheroidising solid particles (cut steel wire and some glass beads) or by direct production of near-spherical shapes. Because of the method of manufacture, variations from sphericity are inevitable. This article attempts to analyse the causes and significance of those variations.