Shot Peening Specifications

The Society for Automotive Engineers (now SAE International) has created technical standards for all kinds of engineering and products and processes. AMS 2431 (AMS is Aerospace Material Specification but is not used only in aerospace applications) is the specification related to the general requirements for peening media. In addition to noting the applicable ASTM testing specs, there are 8 different sub-specifications (separate SAE documents) used to identify and define each of the individual media types including:

AMS2341/1 - Cast Steel Shot (45-52 HRC)
AMS2341/2 - Cast Steel Shot (55-62 HRC)
AMS2341/3 - Carbon Steel Cut Wire Shot
AMS2341/4 - Stainless Steel Cut Wire Shot
AMS2341/5 - Peening Balls
AMS2341/6 - Glass Shot (Glass Bead)
AMS2341/7 - Ceramic Shot
AMS2341/8 - Carbon Steel Cut Wire Shot, High Hardness

Each individual sub-spec details technical requirements such as chemical composition, hardness, shape, size among others and the test methods to determine if the shot being used is 'standard'. Using shot peening media that meets these specs ensures consistent and quality results from the media in whatever blasting process is being used.