Residual Stress and Microstructure Characterization of 34CrMo4 Steel Modified by Shot Peening.

34CrMo4 steel is widely used for drill stem in oil exploration, because of its excellent properties, such as favorable hardenability, shock absorption, less tendency of temper brittleness, and eminent wear resistance. In this study, the main works are residual stress test and microstructure characterization of 34CrMo4 steel upon various shot peening treatments. The residual stress distribution with effect depth was studied upon the shot peening. Face-to-face paste sample preparation method is required for continuous observation for microstructure evolution of shot-peened specimen from the treat surface to matrix. Grain refinement, lath structure, and precipitates are clearly observed in the gradient deformation layer.