Steel Shot
Manufactured to SAE J827 and ISO 11124-3 standards. Hardness 40–51 HRC. Engineered for high-impact shot blasting, shot peening, and surface preparation demanding consistent spherical geometry.
What is steel shot?
Steel shot consists of spherical steel abrasive particles produced by atomising molten, high-carbon steel with high-pressure water or air jets. The rapid solidification creates near-perfect spheres, then heat-treated to achieve a hardness range of 40–51 HRC.
The consistent spherical shape distinguishes steel shot from angular abrasives. Where grit cuts aggressively into a surface, shot imparts compressive stress through repeated impact — a process known as shot peening — dramatically increasing fatigue resistance in springs, gears, turbine blades, and cyclically loaded components.
With a service life exceeding 2,000 reuse cycles, steel shot reduces abrasive consumption, disposal costs, and operator dust exposure compared with mineral or slag abrasives.
Hardness
40–51 HRC
Density
7.4 g/cm³
Standard
SAE J827 / ISO 11124-3
Shape
Spherical
Technical specifications
| Size Grade | Nominal Diameter (mm) | Hardness (HRC) | Density (g/cm³) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S70 | 0.18 | 40–51 | 7.4 | Fine finishing |
| S110 | 0.28 | 40–51 | 7.4 | Light scale removal |
| S170 | 0.43 | 40–51 | 7.4 | General purpose |
| S230 | 0.58 | 40–51 | 7.4 | Medium scale removal |
| S280 | 0.71 | 40–51 | 7.4 | Heavy scale removal |
| S330 | 0.84 | 40–51 | 7.4 | Casting cleaning |
| S390 | 1.00 | 40–51 | 7.4 | Heavy castings |
| S460 | 1.17 | 40–51 | 7.4 | Large castings |
| S550 | 1.40 | 40–51 | 7.4 | Structural steel |
| S660 | 1.70 | 40–51 | 7.4 | Heavy structural |
| S780 | 2.00 | 40–51 | 7.4 | Maximum profile |
Custom sizes and hardness ranges available on request. Contact our technical team for bespoke solutions.
Key application areas
Automotive
Engine block descaling, crankshaft peening, spring and gear fatigue life enhancement, and brake component preparation for long-life vehicle assemblies.
Foundry
Sand and scale removal from iron and steel castings, investment casting deflashing, and post-heat-treatment scale removal across ferrous foundry lines.
Construction & Infrastructure
Structural steel preparation before painting, bridge component surface treatment, storage tank interior cleaning, and pipeline external surface preparation.
Ready to optimise your blasting process?
Our technical team will recommend the right steel shot grade for your application, equipment, and throughput targets. Get a competitive quote within 24 hours.