Mixing it Up

Author:  Kathy Levy, Associate Editor
Source:  The Shot Peener magazine, Vol 37, Issue 2, Spring 2023
Doc ID:  2023020
Year of Publication:  2023
Abstract:  
The following article is derived from a recent email exchange between a media manufacturer and Jack Champaigne, President of Electronics Inc. It will be valuable to our readers that have questions on media usage in peening and blast cleaning machines. MEDIA MANUFACTURER: When someone is charging a new machine for peening purposes, we always suggest a mix of shot that would represent the eventual working mix. We have a customer with a new machine, and they insist that they want to charge their new machine with all one size. What determines the shot discharge size in a peening operation? Is there a specification or is it just the required profile result of the finish that determines when to discharge shot? JACK: Wow, get me started. The term “working mix” is common for abrasive blast cleaning operations, especially in foundries for the cleaning of castings. A mix of large shot and then addition of grit is often needed for efficient cleaning. I was perplexed by the term “peening purposes”, so I pursued the conversation further.