Shot peening barrels

[maxpower]

I,m getting a finished barrel flutted to bring it into weight limits, but others have mentioned residual stress left in barrels after fluting. I was thinking back to my drag racing days and remembered shot peening was used to reduce stress in steels. Is this an option for a rifle barrel, or does it just reduce surface stress risers?

 

[GRCameron]

Actually, shot peening puts the surface of the material into compressive stress. It does NOT reduce stress. By creating compressive stress in the surface of a part, cracks require more energy to form and the net effect is that the part can take more cyclical loading before cracks form and lead to failure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_peening

 

[maxpower]

I,m not worried about a cracking barrel, so it would seem that shot peening is not something worth trying with rifle barrels.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[wapiti25]

The cryogenic treatments are one way to post machining reduce stress.

 

[wapiti25]

I would shoot it and see how it acts such as throwing shots as it heats up.

 

[Rustystud]

I know of one very successful barrel maker who use to shot peening as stress relief. Do not know if they still do. heat or extreme cold are the most common methotds of stress releif. Fluting should be done on opposing sides alternately. It is my thoughts that multiple lighter passes were less stress inducing than single passes. flood coolant to cool the barrel and tooling is very important. Remember stainless steel work hardens with machining.
Nat Lambeth

 

[jonbearman]

Nat can 416 stainless be welded? I know its of topic but I need this imfo. To keep on track,I had an ar-15 barrel that played game's and my brother cryoed it and it behaved as it should.