Mechanical finishing & post-processing · finish comparison
Shot Peening vs Tumbling and Vibratory Finishing
Shot Peening and Tumbling and Vibratory Finishing are both mechanical finishing finishes; shot peening resists corrosion better.
Shot Peening
Mechanical finishing · $$$
Shot peening bombards metal with controlled shot to create compressive residual stress and improve fatigue and stress-corrosion resistance.
Tumbling and Vibratory Finishing
Mechanical finishing · $ · instant quote
Tumbling and vibratory finishing are mass-finishing methods that deburr many small parts together.
When to choose which
Choose Shot peening
Shot peening is the pick when its strengths below matter more than Mass finishing's.
- Introduces compressive residual stress
- Can improve fatigue life
- No deposited coating thickness
Choose Mass finishing
Choose Mass finishing when only edge conditioning and cosmetic uniformity are needed, not compressive stress.
- Processes many small parts per batch
- Breaks edges and removes light burrs
- Typical exposed-surface removal is 0.01–0.05 mm
What the numbers say
- Shot peening resists corrosion better.
- Mass finishing is the lower-cost option ($).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Shot peening | Mass finishing |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 10 Minimal | 5 Minimal |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 25 Low | 50 Fair |
| Lubricity | 15 Low | 15 Low |
| Cost | 45 $$$ | 12 $ |
Key numbers
| Property | Shot peening | Mass finishing |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | — | 0 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Relative cost | Premium ($$$) | Budget ($) |
| Added lead time | 3–7 working days | 1–3 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | On request | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Shot peening | Mass finishing |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | Limited | Yes |
| Copper Alloy | Limited | Yes |
| Nickel Alloy | Yes | — |
| Stainless Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Titanium | Yes | Yes |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
| Polymer | No | Limited |
Shot peening vs Mass finishing — frequently asked
What is the difference between Shot peening and Mass finishing?
Shot Peening and Tumbling and Vibratory Finishing are both mechanical finishing finishes; shot peening resists corrosion better. Mass finishing is the lower-cost option ($).
When should I use Shot peening instead of Mass finishing?
Conversely: choose Mass finishing when only edge conditioning and cosmetic uniformity are needed, not compressive stress.
Is Shot peening or Mass finishing cheaper?
Mass finishing is the lower-cost finish ($ against $$$ for Shot peening) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.