Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.

com

INCH-POUND

MIL-S-13165C
7 June 1989
SUPERSEDING
MIL-S-13165B
31 December 1966

MILITARY SPECIFICATION

SHOT PEENING OF METAL PARTS

This specification is approved for use by all Departments and Agencies

of the Department of Defense.

1. SCOPE

1.1 Scope. This specification covers procedure requirements for shot peening of metal parts, to
induce residual compressive stresses in specified surfaces, for the purpose of improving resistance to
fatigue, stress corrosion cracking, and galling (see 6.1).

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 Government documents.

2.1.1 Specifications, standards, and handbooks. The following specifications, standards, and
handbooks form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the
issues of these documents are those listed in the issue of the Department of Defense Index of Specification
and Standards (DODISS) and supplement thereto, cited in the solicitation (see 6.2).

SPECIFICATIONS

FEDERAL

RR-S-366 - Sieves, Test

MILITARY

MIL-S-851 -Steel Grit, Shot and Cut Wire Shot; and iron Grit and Shot-Blast
Cleaning and Peening
MIL-S-5002 -Surface Treatments and Inorganic Coatings for Metal Surfaces of
Weapon Systems
MIL-G-9954 -Glass Beads, for Cleaning and Peening
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Beneficial comments (recommendations, additions, deletions) and any pertinent data which may be of use
in improving this document should be addressed to: Director, US Army Laboratory Command, Materials
Technology Laboratory, ATTN: SLCMT-MEE, Watertown, MA 02172-0001 by using the Standardization
Document Improvement Proposal (DD Form 1426) appearing at the end of this document or by letter.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

AMSC N/A AREA MFFP

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

MIL-S-13165.doc 1
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

STANDARDS

MILITARY

MIL-STD-45662 -Calibration Systems Requirements

(Unless otherwise indicated, copies of federal and military specifications, standards, and handbooks are
available from the Naval Publications and Forms Center, (ATTN: NPODS), 5801 Tabor Avenue,
Philadelphia, PA 19120-5099)

2.2 Non-Government publications. The following documents form a part of this specification to
the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of the documents which are DoD
adopted are those listed in the issue of the DODISS cited in the solicitation. Unless otherwise specified,
the issues of documents not listed in the DODISS are the issues of the documents cited in the solicitation
(see 6.2).

SAE Standards and Recommended practices

J441 -Cut Wire Shot

J1830 -Ceramic Shot for Peening

(Application for copies should be addressed to SAE, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096)

(Non-Government standards and other publications are normally available from the organizations that
prepare or distribute the documents. These documents also may be available in or through libraries or
other informational services.)

2.3 Order of Precedence. In the event of a conflict between the text of this document and the
references cited herein, the test of this document takes precedence. Nothing in this document, however,
supersedes applicable laws and regulations unless a specific exemption has been obtained.

3. REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Shot

3.1.1 Material The shot used shall be made from cast iron, cast steel, cut steel sire (or stainless cut
wire), glass, or ceramic as specified or approved. The hardness shall be determined by any of the various
methods applicable to small sections at loads determined to provide a reliable conversion to Rockwell C.
Steel and iron shot shall conform to MIL-S-851. For steel parts over 200,000 psi tensile strength, use
hard steel shot in the range 55-65 HRC or ceramic shot, hardness comparable to 57-63 HRC, unless
otherwise specified (see 6.14). Stainless steel cut wire shot, type 302 or 304 (condition B spring temper),
and carbon steel cut wire shot shall conform to SAE J441. Glass beads shall conform to MIL-G-9954
except for sieve analysis. Ceramic beads shall meet the requirements of SAE J1830.

3.1.2. Size. Unless otherwise specified, the size of shot charged into the machine, whether new shot,
used shot or reclassified shot, shall be at the option of the contractor and shall be as specified in table II
(cast sizes), table III (cut wire sizes) or table V (ceramic bead sizes).

3.1.3 Shape The shot or beads shall be free from sharp edges and inspected for deformed shapes or
broken shapes when examined per 4.3.1, 4.3.3, and figure 7. Cut wire shot, if used, shall be preused or
burnished to eliminate sharp edges (see 6.17.1). A given sample size shall contain no more than the
number of unacceptable deformed shaped as shown in figure 7, and defined in table I below (see 3.3.9).

MIL-S-13165.doc 2
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

TABLE I. Maximum allowable number of unacceptable deformed shapes

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Glass Ceramic Maximum Allowable
Cast Cut Bead Bead Sample Number of
Shot Wire Sizes Sizes Size Unacceptable
Sizes Sizes (Inches) (Inches) (Inches) Deformed Shapes
_____________________________________________________________________________________
930 ---- .132-.094 ---- 1X1 8
780 ---- .111-.079 ---- 1X1 11
660 CW-62 .094-.066 ---- 1X1 16
550 CW-54 .079-.056 ---- 1X1 22
460 CW-47 .066-.047 ---- 1X1 32
390 CW-41 .056-.039 ---- 1X1 45
330 CW-35 .047-.0331 0.046 1/2X1/2 16
---- CW-32 ---- ---- 1/2X1/2 18
280 CW-28 .039-.0278 ---- 1/2X1/2 23
230 CW-23 .0331-.0234 0.033 1/2X1/2 32
190 CW-20 .0278-.0197 ---- 1/2X1/2 45
170 ---- .0234-.0165 0.024 1/4X1/4 16
130 ---- .0197-.0139 ---- 1/4X1/4 23
110 ---- .0165-.0117 0.017 1/4X1/4 32
70 ---- .0139-.0098 ---- 1/4X1/4 45
---- ---- .0117-.0083 0.012 1/8X1/8 16
---- ---- .0098-.0070 ---- 1/8X1/8 22
---- ---- .0083-.0059 0.008 1/8X1/8 31
_____________________________________________________________________________________
*These numbers are approximations based on approximately 10% of the actual particle count in the given
sample size.

3.2 Equipment

3.2.1 Automatic Shot Peening. The machine used for shot peening shall provide means for propelling
shot by air pressure or centrifugal force against the work, and mechanical means for moving the work in
either through the shot stream or moving the shot stream through the work in either translation or
rotation, or both, as required. The machine shall be capable of reproducing consistently the shot peening
intensities required. Except for wet glass bead peening (see 3.3.9), the equipment shall continuously
remove broken or defective shot so that this shot will not be used for peening.

3.2.2 Computer-controlled Shot Peening. When specified in the contract or purchase order (see 6.2
and 6.8), the machine used for shot peening shall be as in 3.2.1 and also shall be equipped with computer-
aided monitoring equipment. This equipment shall continuously monitor critical process parameters
through interaction with a sensing system. The media shall be metered to each nozzle and wheel with the
desired shot flow. Process parameters shall be as specified by the procuring activity (see 6.9). The
machine shall be stopped immediately and corrective action shall be taken when any of the established
process limits is violated. The electronic system used for monitoring and controlling shot peening shall
include a data recording device which will mark (plot) process interruptions or inconsistencies, and shall
be maintained for the purpose of providing a hard copy record.

3.3 Procedure.

3.3.1 Dimensions and Condition of parts. Areas of parts to be shot peened shall be within
dimensional and surface finish requirements before peening. All heat treatment, machining and grinding
shall be completed before shot peening. all fillets shall be formed, all burrs shall be removed, and all

MIL-S-13165.doc 3
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

sharp edges and corners to be peened shall be provided with sufficient radii to result in complete coverage
without any distortion prior to peening (see 6.15).

3.3.2 Precleaning. Except as otherwise specified or permitted, all areas to be peened shall be
cleaned in accordance with MIL-S-5002. Procedures for stripping coatings shall be as specified or
approved in the contract or on the applicable drawings.

3.3.3 Masking. Areas of the part or work piece and the dimensional tolerances of these areas
which are designated in the contract or applicable drawing to be free from any shot peening marks shall
be suitably masked or otherwise handled to protect such surfaces from the shot stream or subsequent
damage. Areas not requiring peening and not required to be masked shall be considered optional.

3.3.4 Magnetic Particle or Penetrant Inspection. Except as otherwise specified, when magnetic
particle or dye penetrate inspection is required, parts shall be subjected to such inspection before peening.

3.3.5 Loading. Unless otherwise specified or permitted, parts shall be free from externally
applied loads or forces during shot peening.

3.3.6 Peening Intensity. Unless otherwise specified on the drawing or in the contract, the
intensity value of the shot stream used on the part shall be as specified in table VI for the thickness of the
material being peened. If only a minimum intensity is specified, the variation from the specified
minimum intensity shall be -0, + 30% rounded to the nearest unit, but in no case less than 3 intensity
units (A,C, or N) unless otherwise specified. For example, a specified peening intensity of 6A would
denote an arc height of 0.006-0.009 inches on the “A” specimen. Shot peening of parts shall be
accomplished using the same parameters (time, distance, blast pressure, angle of incidence, etc.) as used
on the test strip.

3.3.7 Coverage. Areas of parts shot peened in compliance with design requirements shall be
peened to complete visual coverage (see 4.4.1 and 6.11). When a surface on which peening is required is
obstructed and it is impossible to obtain complete visual coverage by direct impact, coverage by reflected
shot is allowed. Full coverage will not be required if the part is peened only for forming or straightening.
Critical applications shall be as specified by the procuring activity (see 4.2 and 6.11).

3.3.7.1 Boundary Variation. Unless otherwise specified, the variation in boundaries of areas to be
peened, when limited, shall be -0 to +1/8 inch.

3.3.7.2 Fillets and Shielded Areas. Unless otherwise specified, the nominal size of shot used on
fillet surfaces shall not be greater than one-half of the fillet radius. For slots or other apertures, through
which shot must pass to peen shielded critical areas, the nominal shot diameter shall not be greater than
1/4 the diameter or width of such aperture.

3.3.8 Minimum Shot Size for Peening Materials. Except as otherwise specified or permitted, or in
cases such as when shielded areas are involved, materials shall not be peened with shot smaller than the
following for the intensities given:

Intensity Peening Media

.012A S-280 or CW-28 or GB (.039-.028) or ceramic bead size .033
.016A S-390 or CW-41 or GB (.056-.039) or ceramic bead size .046
.020A S-550 or CW-54 or GB (.079-.056)

3.3.9 Shot Maintenance. The shot or beads shall be maintained in the machine so that not more
than 20% of the particles, by weight, shall pass through the sieve number specified in table VII for the
shot size used. Metallic shot shall be checked at least every eight hours of operation to assure that not
more than 10% of the shot by actual count is deformed or broken; glass beads shall be checked at least

MIL-S-13165.doc 4
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

every two hours of operation to assure that not more than 10% of the beads by actual count are deformed
or broken (see 3.1.3 and table I). When wet glass peening is used, the entire slurry charge shall be
changed at least every two hours for compliance with this requirement. Ceramic beads shall be checked at
least every four hours to assure that not more than 5% of the beads by actual count are deformed or
broken. In all cases, at least one determination shall be made at the beginning and one at the end of each
period of operation or tart change.

3.3.10 Post Treatments. No manufacturing operations which relieve stresses developed by peening or
which develop detrimental residual stresses shall be permitted after shot peening. When peened parts are
heated after shot peening as for baking of protective coatings, to relieve hydrogen embrittlement after
electroplating, or other thermal treatment, the temperatures employed shall be limited as follows (see
6.13):

Material Temperature
Steel Parts* 475o F Maximum
Stainless Steel Parts** 750o F Maximum
Aluminum Alloy Parts 200o F Maximum
Magnesium Alloy Parts 200o F Maximum
Titanium Alloy Parts 600o F Maximum
Nickel Alloy Parts 1000o F Maximum
Cobalt Alloy Parts 1000o F Maximum

*Except 300oF for steel parts that are tempered below the recommended 475oF maximum, after a quench
hardening operation.
**Except 475oF for PH steels and cold worked 300 series stainless steels

3.3.10.1 Residual Shot Removal. After shot peening and removal of protecting masks, all shot and shot
fragments shall be removed from surfaces of articles. Only methods which will not erode or scratch
surfaces shall be used..

3.3.10.2 Cleaning. Aluminum alloy parts which have been peened with metallic shot shall be
chemically cleaned by a preapproved cleaning procedure.

3.3.10.3 Protection From Corrosion Shot peened parts shall be protected from corrosion during
processing and until final coating or packaging is completed. the method of protection shall be as
specified or approved in the contract or purchase order.

4. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS

4.1 Responsibility for Inspection. Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase order,
the contractor is responsible for the performance of all inspection requirements (examination and tests) as
specified herein. Except as otherwise specified in the contract or purchase order, the contractor may use
his own or any other facilities suitable for the performance of the inspection requirements specified herein,
unless disapproved by the Government. The Government reserves the right to perform any of the
inspection set forth in this specification where such inspection s are deemed necessary to ensure supplies
and services conform to prescribed requirements.

4.1.1 Responsibility for Compliance. All items shall meet all requirements of section 3. The
inspection set forth in this specification shall become a part of the contractor’s overall inspection system
or quality program. The absence of any inspection requirements in the specification shall not relieve the
contractor of the responsibility of ensuring that all products or supplies submitted to the Government for
acceptance comply with all requirements of the contract. Sampling inspection, as part of manufacturing
operations, is an acceptable practice to ascertain conformance to requirements, however, this does not

MIL-S-13165.doc 5
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

authorize submission of known defective material, either indicated or actual, nor does it commit the
Government to accept defective material.

4.2 Shot Peening Intensity Unless otherwise specified on the drawing or in the contract, the
peening intensity value used on the part shall be as specified in table VI for the material thickness
involved; and penning intensities shall be monitored at all locations specified by the procuring activity in
accordance with 4.2.4 (see 6.5)

4.2.1 Sampling At lest one intensity determination shall be made to represent each machine for
each two hours of continuous operation of fraction thereof where glass beads are used, for each four hours
of continuous operation or fraction thereof where ceramic beads are used, and for each eight hours of
continuous operation or fraction thereof where cast steel, cast iron, or cut steel wire (or stainless cut wire)
shot is used. In all cases, at least one determination shall be made at the beginning and one at the end of
each period of operation or part change.

4.2.3 Saturation Curve For initial process development, a saturation curve shall be generated for each
location where intensity is to be verified. A curve is produced by exposing individual test strips for
increasing time periods and plotting the results (exposure time vs. arc height.) A minimum of four points
other than zero shall be used to define the curve; one of the four points used to indicate saturation shall be
at least double the time of the saturation point. Saturation is achieved when, as the exposure time for the
test strips is doubled, the arc height does not increase by more than 10% (see fig. 8 and 6.12). The arc
height at saturation for each location must be within the required arc height range for tat location. The
reuse of test strips is not permitted.

4.2.4 Test Procedure. The test strip specimens selected in accordance with 4.2.1 shall be attached as
shown in figure 5, to holders of the form and dimensions shown in figure4, and mounted on a fixture or
article and exposed to the shot stream in a manner which simulates conditions used for the articles. The
test strips shall be run for the saturation time established by the saturation curve (see 4.2.3). After
exposure the test strips shall be removed from the holders and the amount of deflection measured with a
micrometer gage, of the form and dimensions shown in figure 6. The arc height specified intensity range
(see 3.3.6). I the arc height measured is not within the intensity range specified, the process parameters
must be adjusted and new saturation curves must be run (see 4.2.3). In using the micrometer gage, the
central portion of the unpeened side of the test strip shall be placed against the indicator stem of the gage.
A peened test strip shall not be re-peened after being removed from the test strip holder.

4.2.5 Test Records. Test strip specimens and test records shall accompany peened parts, and shall
be inspected along with the appropriate lot. The following information shall be recorded for each
specimen:

(a) Lot number and other production control numbers

(b) Part number
(c) Number of parts in lot
(d) Date peened
(e) Shot peening machine used and machine settings
(f) Specified peening intensity and actual peening intensity by test strip identification
numbers if test fixture requires use of more than one strip.
(g) Shot size, type, hardness, standoff (distance), length of time of exposure to shot stream,
and shot flow rate (see 6.17.6)
(h) Percent coverage
(i) Shot velocity or air pressure

4.2.6 Computer-controlled Shot Peening When auxiliary computer controlled equipment is used,
calibration of the monitoring systems shall be in accordance with MIL-STD-45662. Intensity verification
as per 4.2.4 shall be done prior to initial operation and after any calibration.

MIL-S-13165.doc 6
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

4.3 Shot Size and Uniformity

4.3.1 Sampling Sampling for shot size and uniformity shall be at the frequencies specified in 4.2.1 for
intensity. Where cut wire shot is used, it shall be inspected for absence of sharp edges and roundness (see
3.1.3).

4.3.2 Test Procedure Tests for shot size and uniformity for compliance with the requirements of 3.1
shall be made using sieves conforming to Federal Specification RR-S-366.

4.3.3 Visual Examination (sample size) Samples of shot for visual examination shall consist of the
number of shot in one layer which completely fills an area of 1, 1/2, 1/4 or 1/8 inch square as applicable
(see table I). If feasible a minimum of 100 beads or pieces of shot shall constitute a single sample (see
6.16). Acceptable and unacceptable shapes are shown in figure 7.

4.4 Inspection of Shot Peened Articles

4.4.1 Coverage Unless otherwise specified articles shall be 100% visually inspected for
compliance with the coverage requirements of 3.3.7 using either method described in 6.11a or 6.11b.

4.4.2 Corrosion Protection Articles shall be inspected for compliance with the method of
protection specified in the contract or purchase order.

5. PACKAGING

This section is not applicable to this specification.

6. NOTES

(This section contains information of a general or explanatory nature that may be helpful, but is not
mandatory.)

6.1 Intended Use Shot peening is intended to induce surface compressive stresses in metal parts
which are subjected to repeated applications of complex load patterns such as axles, spring (helical,
torsional and leaf), gears, shafting, aircraft landing gear, structural parts, etc., for the purpose of
improving resistance to fatigue and stress corrosion cracking. Ceramic and glass bead peening, either wet
or dry, is used when iron contamination of non-ferrous parts is a consideration.

6.2 Acquisition Requirements The following will be as specified or approved in the contract or in
the applicable drawings:

(a) Title, number, and date for this specification

(b) Issue of DODISS to be cited in the solicitation, and if required, the specific issue of
individual documents referenced (see 2.1.1 and 2.2)

(c) The type of shot to be used (see 3.1.1)

(d) Shot size (and hardness if cast steel shot is to be used), if particular size required (see 3.1.2,
3.3.7.2, 3.3.8 and 6.7)

MIL-S-13165.doc 7
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

(e) Type of equipment to be used - automatic or computer controlled (see 3.2.1 and 3.2.2)

(f) Methods for cleaning surfaces and methods for stripping coatings, if applicable (see 3.3.2)

(g) Designation of locations to be peened (including intensity verification areas), or locations to

be free from peening as applicable (see 3.3.3)

(h) If magnetic particle of dye penetrant inspection is required on peened parts (see 3.3.4)

(i) If externally applied forces are permissible during peening (see 3.3.5)

(j) Intensity requirements if other than 3.3.6.

(k) Over performance peening coverage when required to insure 100% coverage for performance
on critical applications (see 3.3.7)

(l) Method of coverage verification (see 3.3.7 and 3.11)

(m) Shot size limitations in obstructed areas, boundaries, and other peening operations (see
3.3.8)

(n) Specific cleaning formulation (s) or approved cleaning procedure for peened parts, if
applicable (see 3.3.10.2)

(o) Method of protecting shot peened parts from corrosion (see 3.3.10.3)

6.3 Effective Peening Shot peening, to have the desired effect, requires that the specified intensity
and coverage be achieved on critical areas (see 6.17.3), where high tensile stresses or stress
ranges are most likely to cause fatigue or stress corrosion failures in service.

6.4 Special Peening Procedure Where a special procedure is required, applicable drawings or a
contract will designate such critical areas (see 4.2).

6.5 Additional Peening Shielded or partially shielded areas, walls of deep recesses, or other areas
less accessible to the maximum effect of the blast stream will receive less peening as to intensity
and coverage than more exposed or more favorably oriented areas, and may therefore require
additional peening or repositioning of the part to achieve correct peening in these areas. Use of
special nozzle equipment or employment of deflector peening operations may be useful in
diminishing the amount of additional peening.

6.6 Peening Thin Sections The peening of very thin or small sections to high intensities should be
avoided because of the distortion and high residual tensile stresses in the core material that may
result from such peening.

6.7 Shot Size Selection In selecting shot sizes, consideration should be given to the following
factors:

(a) Shape of parts

(b) Size of fillets (small shot to get into small fillets, etc.) (see 3.3.7.2)

(c) Intensity desired (the size of shot limits the intensity which can be obtained in a given
peening machine). therefore, it may be necessary to use a larger shot to obtain a higher intensity
or to reduce intensity requirements when shot must be small for consideration (b)

MIL-S-13165.doc 8
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

(d) Finish (at equal intensities larger shot will produce a finer surface finish)

(e) Whether or not to use small shot at high intensity on aluminum or magnesium alloy parts.

6.8 Computer-Controlled Shot Peening Selection Computer-controlled shot peening equipment

should be considered for use in the following instances:

(a) Man flight vehicle components

(b) Components where shot peening is used as part of the design strength of the component

(c) Components which are considered critical to system success

6.9 Process Parameters Parameters which may affect the shot peening process include, but are not
limited to, the following:

(a) Shot flow rate

(b) Air pressure or wheel speed (RPM)

(c) Impact angle

(d) Distance of nozzle (s) or wheel (s) from workpiece

(e) Relative motion between workpiece and nozzle (s) or wheel (s)

Shot peening procedures should be as agreed upon between the contractor and the procuring activity and
will comply with the process parameters established in 3.2.2 and 3.3.

6.10 Intensity Comparisons For comparisons of the nominal intensity designations, type C test
specimen deflection may be multiplied by 3.5 to obtain the approximate deflection of a type A
test strip. Test strip “A” is ordinarily used for arc heights up to 0.024 inches; for higher intensity
peening, test strip C is used. for intensities below .004A the type “N” test strip should be used.
For comparison of the nominal intensity designations, type “A” test strip deflection may be
multiplied by three to obtain the approximate deflection of a type “N” test strip (see fig 1, 2 and
3).

6.11 Coverage Complete visual coverage is defined as a uniform and complete denting or
obliterating of the original surface of the part or work piece as determined by either of the following
methods:

(a) Visual examination using a ten power magnifying glass

(b) Visual examination using a ten power magnifying glass in conjunction with an additional
visual examination using an approved liquid tracer system (see 6.17.4) may be used for process
control by the contractor. Unless otherwise specified, the procedure for using an approved liquid
tracer system is described as follows:

Prepare a control specimen of the actual work piece. Coat this control specimen with tracer liquid by
dipping, spraying, or painting and allow the liquid to dry. Check the specimen under a light I an
ultraviolet light is used for a fluorescent tracer system) to insure that complete coating of the area to be
shot peened has been accomplished. This control specimen is shot peened using the correct intensity and
parameters specified for complete coverage and is then re-examined under the light (or ultraviolet light)

MIL-S-13165.doc 9
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

in order to determine if the tracer residue has been completely removed. Full coverage is indicated by
complete removal of the tracer residue. Coverage of actual production pieces can be established by using
the same procedure used for control specimens. This can be done by utilizing the liquid tracer for each
part or on a statistical sampling basis.

NOTE: The liquid tracer system must be approved by the procuring activity. Data, showing that 100%
coverage of the part is obtainable by using this tracer system, is required.

6.12 Intensity Intensity can only be established by plotting a saturation curve, as shown in figure 8,
and assuring that the required intensity (determined by the arc height of the test strip) falls on the
right side of the knee of the curve. By doubling the time of exposure, the arc height of a test strip
should not increase by more than 10%.

6.13 Process Temperatures Processing or service temperatures of shot peened parts shall be
limited to the temperatures in 3.3.10 unless test data for specific applications support the
satisfactory use of higher temperatures.

NOTE: Operations performed after shot peening such as auxiliary electrodeposited coatings may cause
tensile stresses on the steel surface. Procedures for relieving these stresses will be specified in the
contract, or part drawing, or will be in accordance with the applicable specification.

6.14 Multiple Exposure Time although test strips peened to saturation generally exhibit complete
(100%) visual coverage, additional factors may need to be built into the contractor’s process or
procedure which will insure that minimum coverage has been specified for the peening of steels
over 200,000 psi tensile strength and/or for critical applications when over performance peening
is required to insure complete coverage (see 3.3.7). Unless otherwise specified the factors required
to achieve 100% coverage is the responsibility of the contractor.

6.15 Condition of Material Before Peening for informational purposes, MIL-P-81985, the military
specification for peening of metals, discusses the condition of material prior to peening.

6.16 Examination of Shot Sample It may be necessary to use a lighted binocular microscope to
inspect the smaller shot for size and uniformity (see 4.3.3).

6.17 Definitions

6.17.1 Burnishing Burnishing is the smoothing of surfaces by rubbing or tumbling, accomplished

chiefly by the movement rather than the removal of the surface layer.

6.17.2 Contractor An individual or organization outside the US Government which has accepted any
type of agreement or order for providing research, supplies, or services to a US Government
Agency.

6.17.3 Critical The term critical, as in critical areas, is where a failure of any portion would cause
loss of system, loss of major component, or loss of personnel.

6.17.4 Liquid Tracer System A tracer system that employs liquid coating material which removes at a
rate proportioned to peening coverage. A fluorescent tracer system has, in addition, a pigment
which fluoresces under ultraviolet light.

6.17.5 Procuring Activity The term procuring activity is that activity of the Government which
actually initiates the request for procurement and maintains the records of the procurement.

6.17.6 Stand-off Stand-off is the distance from the shot nozzle to the surface being peened.

MIL-S-13165.doc 10
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

6.18 Subject Term (key word) Listing

Almen test strip Saturation curve

Fluorescent tracer system Shot peening
Liquid tracer system Shot size
Peening intensity

Custodians: Preparing activity:

Army - MR Army - MR
Navy - AS
Air Force - 11 (Project MFFP-0288)

Review activities:

Army - MI,EA, AR, AV, AT

Navy - SH
Air Force - 84,18

User activities:

Army - AT, ME
Navy - OS
Air Force - 99

(KBWP# ID-0530A/DISK 0117A. FOR MTL USE ONLY

MIL-S-13165.doc 11
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

TABLE II. Cast Shot Numbers and Screening Tolerances

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Cumulative Cumulative
All pass Max 2% on Max 50% on min. 90% on min. 98% on
Peening US sieve US sieve US sieve US sieve US sieve
Shot Number & Number & Number & Number & Number &
opening 1/ opening 1/ opening 1/ opening 1/ opening 1/
_____________________________________________________________________________________
930 5 (.157) 6 (.132) 7 (.11) 8 (.0937) 10 (.0787)
780 6 (.132) 7 (.11) 8 (.0937) 10 (.0787) 12 (.0661)
660 7 (.11) 8 (.0937) 10 (.0787) 12 (.0661) 14 (.0555)
550 8 (.0937) 10 (.0787) 12 (.0661) 14 (.0555) 16 (.0469)
460 10 (.0787) 12 (.0661) 14 (.0555) 16 (.0469) 18 (.0394)
390 12 (.0661) 14 (.0555) 16 (.0469) 18 (.0394) 20 (.0331)
330 14 (.0555) 16 (.0469) 18 (.0394) 20 (.0331) 25 (.0278)
280 16 (.0469) 18 (.0394) 20 (.0331) 25 (.0278) 30 (.0234)
230 18 (.0394) 20 (.0331) 25 (.0278) 30 (.0234) 35 (.0197)
190 20 (.0331) 25 (.0278) 30 (.0234) 35 (.0197) 40 (.0165)
170 25 (.0278) 30 (.0234) 35 (.0197) 40 (.0165) 45 (.0139)
130 30 (.0234) 35 (.0197) 40 (.0165) 45 (.0139) 50 (.0117)
110 35 (.0197) 40 (.0165) 45 (.0139) 50 (.0117) 80 (.0070)
70 40 (.0165) 45 (.0139) 50 ( .0117) 80 (.0070) 120(.0049)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1/ Sieve numbers specified in RR-S-366, number in parentheses represents sieve opening size
(inches).

TABLE III. Cut wire shot (steel/stainless) size classification

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Weight of Length of
Wire diameter fifty pieces ten pieces
Shot No. Inches grams1/ inches2/
_____________________________________________________________________________________
CW-62 .062 ± .002 1.09 to 1.33 .620 ± .040
CW-54 .054 ± .002 0.72 to 0.88 .540 ± .040
CW-47 .047 ± .002 0.48 to 0.58 .470 ± .040
CW-41 .041 ± .002 0.31 to 0.39 .410 ± .040
CW-35 .035 ± .001 0.20 to 0.24 .350 ± .030
CW-32 .032 ± .001 0.14 to 0.18 .320 ± .030
CW-28 .028 ± .001 0.10 to 0.12 .280 ± .030
CW-23 .023 ± .001 0.05 to 0.07 .230 ± .020
CW-20 .020 ± .001 0.04 to 0.05 .200 ± .020
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1/ Fifty randomly selected particles shall be weighed. The total weight of the fifty pieces shall be
within the limits specified in table III above.

MIL-S-13165.doc 12
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

2/ Ten randomly sampled shot particles shall be checked for length. All ten pieces selected for this test
shall fall within the tolerance shown in table III above.

TABLE IV. Glass Bead Sizes

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Nominal glass Min 99% shall Min 95% shall Max 10% shall Max 5% shall
bead size pass sieve pass sieve pass sieve pass sieve
(inches) number 1/ number 1/ number 1/ number 1/
_____________________________________________________________________________________
max min
.132 .094 5 6 8 10
.111 .079 6 7 10 12
.094 .066 7 8 12 14
.079 .056 8 10 14 16
.066 .047 10 12 16 18
.056 .039 12 14 18 20
.047 .0331 14 16 20 30
.039 .0278 16 18 25 40
.0331 .0234 18 20 30 45
.0278 .0197 20 25 35 50
.0234 .0165 25 30 40 60
.0197 .0139 30 35 45 70
.0165 .0117 35 40 50 70
.0139 .0098 40 45 60 80
.0117 .0083 45 50 70 100
.0098 .0070 50 60 80 120
.0083 .0059 60 70 100 140
.0070 .0049 70 80 120 170
.0059 .0041 80 100 140 200
.0049 .0035 100 120 170 230
.0041 .0029 120 140 200 270
.0035 .0024 140 170 230 325
.0029 .0021 170 200 270 400
.0024 .0021 200 230 325 400
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1/ Sieve numbers specified in RR-S-366.

TABLE V. Ceramic Bead Sizes

_____________________________________________________________________________________
NOMINAL SIZES SIEVE NUMBER AND SIEVE
(inches) OPENING SIZE (in inches) 1/

Max 0.5% Max 5% Max 10% Max 3%

Retains Retains Pass Pass
_____________________________________________________________________________________
0.046 14 (.0555) 16 (.0469) 20 (.0331) 25 (.0278)
0.033 18 (.0394) 20 (.0331) 30 (.0234) 40 (.0165)
0.024 55 (.278) 30 (.0234) 40 (.0165) 50 (.0117)

0.017 35 (.0197) 40 (.0165) 50 (.0117) 60 (.0098)

MIL-S-13165.doc 13
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

0.012 45 (.0139) 50 (.0117) 70 (.0083) 80 (.0070)

0.008 60 (.0098) 70 (.0083) 100(.0059) 120(.0049)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1/ Sieve numbers specified in RR-S-366.

TABLE VI. Shot Peening Intensity

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Steel under Steel over Aluminum alloys Aluminum alloys
Material 1/ 200,000 psi 200,000 psi 4/ (metallic shot/ (nonmetallic
shot)
Titanium and ceramic shot) 5/
titanium alloys
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Under .090 inch ----------- ----------- ---------- .004 / .008 N
thickness

.090 / .375 .008 / .012 A2/ .006 / .010 A .006 / .010 A .008 / .012 N
inch thickness

Over .375 inch .012 / .016 A3/ .006 / .010 A .010 / .014 A .012 / .016 N
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1/ Magnesium alloys response to shot peening is different from the response of other materials. It is
essential to avoid broken or deformed peening material. Peening must be done with materials and under
conditions which do not induce cracks.

2/ The suffix letter A indicates that the values have been determined by the use of test strip A (see fig
1).

3/ Test strip A is used for arc heights up to 0.24 inches. For greater peening intensity test strip C
should be used. Test strip N is used if the intensity is less than .004 inches on the A strip (see fig. 2 and
3).

4/ For steel over 200,000 psi, use hard shot or ceramic shot (see 3.1.1). Peening intensity shall be as
specified in the contract or drawing.

5/ If steel shot is used, the areas peened should be chemically decontaminated to remove residual iron
left on the part. If ceramic shot is used for these intensities not decontamination is required since the shot
for the specified material thickness is non-metallic.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

MIL-S-13165.doc 14
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

TABLE VII. Uniformity of Shot to be Maintained in Machine

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Cast size Cut wire Glass bead Ceramic bead Maximum 20%
sizes sizes sizes, max sizes Passing US sieve
(inches) (inches) number and opening 1/
_____________________________________________________________________________________
930 --- .132 --- 8 (.0937)
780 --- .111 --- 10 (.0787)
660 --- .094 --- 12 (.0661)
550 CW-62 .079 --- 14 (.0555)
460 CW-54 .066 --- 16 (.0469)
390 CW-47 .056 --- 18 (.0394)
330 CW-41 .047 0.046 20 (.0331)
--- CW-35 --- --- 20 (.0331)
280 CW-32 .039 --- 25 (.0278)
230 CW-28 .0331 0.033 30 (.0234)
190 CW-23 .0278 --- 35 (.0197)
170 CW-20 .0234 0.024 40 (.0165)
130 --- .0197 --- 45 (.0139)
110 --- .0165 0.017 50 (.0117)
70 --- .0139 --- 60 (.0098)
--- --- .0117 0.012 70 (.0083)
--- --- .0098 --- 80 (.0070)
--- --- .0083 0.008 100(.0059)
--- --- .0070 --- 120(.0049)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1/ Sieve numbers specified in RR-S-366, number in parenthesis represents sieve opening size (inches).

MIL-S-13165.doc 15
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

MIL-S-13165.doc 16
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

MIL-S-13165.doc 17
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

MIL-S-13165.doc 18
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

MIL-S-13165.doc 19
 Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com

MIL-S-13165.doc 20