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Masking for Shot Peeners

I currently use a duct tape, as many metal treaters do, to mask off areas during the shot peening process. However, it is incredibly hard to remove the multiple layers of product after the process is complete. Is there a better product out there for this specific process?

There are a few products on the market that are going to have better performance than a duct tape during the shot peening process.

For those who do not know, shot peening is a cold working process in which small spherical media called "shot" are projected on the surface of a part. Each piece of shot acts as a tiny hammer creating a small indentation on the surface of the metal. Nearly all fatigue and stress corrosion failure originate at the surface of a part, but cracks will not initiate or propagate in a compressively stressed zone. The dimples created during the shot peening process create a uniform layer of compressive stress on the metal's, therefore, providing considerable increases in part life. Tape plays a role in protecting various areas of that metal part.

The products listed below are duct tape alternatives. They both offer clean, one-piece removal after the shot peening process. In addition, one layer of this product can often protect better than multiple layers of duct tape. In fact, dissimilar to duct tape, these products are designed specifically for blasting processes. Click on the product name below to view the respective data sheet.

Intertape Polymer Group's BT100-PMB "Blast Impact" Tape
Intertape Polymer Group's BT100R-PMB "Robotic" Blast Impact Tape


Another idea you may want to consider is custom die-cutting whichever product you choose. Die-cutting the product could increase your productivity through shorter application time. Furthermore, a die-cut part will ensure you are protecting the entire area you wish to protect EVERY TIME, which will decrease rework and limit waste.