The impact of heat treatment and shot peening on the fatigue strength of 51CrV4 steel

Quenching and tempering (Q&T) and shot peening (SP) processes are commonly applied in parts manufacturing industries for improving mechanical properties of steel. In this study, the results of experiments of both treatments of 51CrV4 steel were presented. The impact on the fatigue strength, surface roughness and mechanical properties were compared. The specimens were quenched to 860°C for 2.15 min and next tempered to 480°C for 15 min. The experimental studies showed that these methods visibly increased the fatigue strength limit, for Q&T by about 5.3 % and for SP by about 1.5 %. Mechanical properties were also better in comparison to specimens without treatment, especially in the case of steel after Q&T.