The AMS, SAE, ASTM, ISO, and MIL specifications that govern shot peening media, surface roughness measurement, media sizing, and peening coverage — mapped to applicable media types.
In regulated industries — particularly aerospace, defense, and medical — media selection is not just a process-engineering decision, it is a compliance decision. Specifications like AMS 2430 and MIL-S-13165 dictate which steel shot grades are acceptable for fatigue-critical peening, while ISO 4287 and ISO 4288 govern how surface roughness is measured and reported.
This page consolidates the standards most frequently referenced by mass-finishing engineers, with notes on which media type each standard applies to and where to find implementation guidance in our pillar pages.
Always verify the current revision of any standard directly with the issuing body (SAE, ASTM, ISO, or DoD) before specifying media for a regulated application. Standards are periodically revised, and the summaries on this page are for orientation only — they are not a substitute for the official specification text.
The standards most frequently referenced by engineers specifying ceramic and steel finishing media. Each entry lists the issuing body, scope, and applicable media type.
| Standard | Issuing Body | Scope | Applicable Media |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMS 2430 | SAE Aerospace | Shot peening of metal parts — general process specification covering media qualification, intensity, and coverage requirements. | Steel Shot |
| AMS 2432 | SAE Aerospace | Computer-monitored, automated shot peening — for fatigue-critical aerospace components requiring controlled, repeatable peening. | Steel Shot |
| SAE J444 | SAE International | Test sieve sizes and size distribution of cast shot and grit — defines S110 through S780 shot size designations. | Steel Shot |
| SAE J2441 | SAE International | Shot peening coverage determination — defines visual and dimensional methods for verifying 100% coverage. | Steel Shot |
| SAE J827 | SAE International | Cast steel shot specifications — chemical composition, hardness (55–65 HRC), and microstructure requirements. | Steel Shot |
| SAE J1839 | SAE International | Test strip (Almen strip) and gage calibration for shot peening intensity measurement. | Steel Shot |
| ASTM E11 | ASTM International | Woven wire test sieve cloth and test sieves — used for media size distribution verification. | Ceramic Steel |
| ASTM B177 | ASTM International | Standard guide for mass finishing — process variables, media selection, and equipment guidelines. | Ceramic Steel |
| ISO 4287 | ISO | Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) — surface texture profile method: terms, definitions, and surface texture parameters (Ra, Rz, Rq). | Ceramic Steel |
| ISO 4288 | ISO | Rules and procedures for the assessment of surface texture — measurement rules and cutoff selection for Ra, Rz. | Ceramic Steel |
| ISO 25178 | ISO | Surface texture: areal methods — 2D (area) surface measurement beyond traditional 1D profile Ra/Rz. | Ceramic Steel |
| MIL-S-13165 | U.S. Department of Defense | Military specification for shot peening of metal parts — superseded in part by AMS 2430 but still referenced in legacy defense contracts. | Steel Shot |
| MIL-STD-748 | U.S. Department of Defense | Military standard for shot size and shot grading — historically referenced alongside SAE J444 for shot qualification. | Steel Shot |
Aerospace Material Specifications (AMS) and SAE ground-vehicle standards governing shot peening media qualification, intensity, coverage, and shot sizing.
Key specs: AMS 2430, AMS 2432, SAE J444, SAE J2441, SAE J827, SAE J1839
Test methods and guides for sieving, surface measurement, and mass-finishing process documentation.
Key specs: ASTM E11, ASTM B177, ASTM E1774
International standards for geometrical product specifications, surface texture measurement (profile and areal), and quality inspection.
Key specs: ISO 4287, ISO 4288, ISO 25178, ISO 11562
Military specifications for shot peening and shot sizing on defense contracts — many are now superseded by AMS but remain in legacy drawings.
Key specs: MIL-S-13165, MIL-STD-748
Quick navigation to the standards that apply to specific finishing-media engineering decisions.
Implementation guidance: Shot Peening Media Guide
Implementation guidance: Ultimate Guide to Steel Media
Implementation guidance: Surface Finishing Guide
Implementation guidance: Media Selection Handbook
Ceramic media is generally not regulated by shot-peening specifications (AMS, MIL). Compliance focus is on surface roughness outcomes (ISO 4287/4288), sieve sizing (ASTM E11), and process documentation (ASTM B177).
Steel media — particularly hardened steel shot for peening — is heavily regulated by AMS, SAE, and MIL specifications. Hardness, size distribution, and process intensity must all be documented and verifiable.
Our pillar pages walk through each standard with implementation guidance, and the Media Selector can flag specification-driven constraints for your application.
Shot Peening Media Guide Open Media Selector