5 Reasons why Ultrasonic Impact Treatment is Your Best Option for Metal Improvement

Industries such as transportation, aerospace, mining, military, and infrastructure that rely so heavily on the resilience of their structures, require a metal improvement technique that is not only superior in terms of results and longevity, but can also be performed quickly, cleanly and without restrictive costs.  Ultrasonic Impact Treatment utilizes the strength of ultrasonic energy to achieve these goals more effectively than any metal improvement technique to come along prior to its availability.

Here are 5 reasons why ultrasonic impact treatment exceeds conventional peening, grinding or other traditional metal improvement methodologies:

1. Improved Surface Condition

Poor surface conditions lead to deteriorations in the material, which create microscopic stress concentrations that reduce fatigue strength and lead to eventual cracking.  By introducing compressive stresses at the surface, UIT creates a smoother, hardier surface condition that’s more resistant to stress and corrosive climactic or chemical elements.  This metal improvement at the surface helps to prevent fatigue failure, thereby extending the useable life of the component and markedly reducing replacement and repair costs. 

2. Refortified Intergranular Composition

Beneath the surface, UIT lends to metal improvement by refortifying the size, shape and orientation of grains within the material.  As such, microscopic flaws that would otherwise grow to detrimental levels are combated in their earliest stages, and weakened components are transformed back to their strongest composition.  Once again fatigue life is increased and the need for more extensive repairs down the line is alleviated.

3. Alleviation of Tensile Stresses

Repetitive cyclic loading beyond given thresholds creates destructive tensile stresses, which propagate across the surface and lead to disastrous results.  Ultrasonic impact technology drives tensile stresses deeper than any competitive metal improvement treatment to a depth of 12 mm.  By removing tensile stresses to such a superior depth, UIT again outperforms conventional methods of improving metal strength more effectively and for a longer period of time. 

4. Extended Fatigue Life

By improving surface condition, creating a more corrosion-resistant material, strengthening metal at the grain structure, removing tensile stresses and introducing fortifying compressive stresses; metal improvement via ultrasonic impact treatment greatly extends fatigue life in critical components.  Beyond the financial benefits, the confidence and peace-of-mind delivered in the knowledge that structures, such as aircraft, mining equipment, offshore platforms, and heavy machinery are safe and reliable provides immeasurable advantages over less effective methods of metal improvement. 

5. Speed & Ease of Application

Through its patented ultrasonic impact tool, UIT can be applied faster and more conveniently than other metal improvement methodologies.  The portability and configurability of the tool allows it to access formerly hard-to-reach areas without the need to disassemble components and put a lengthy stop in production.  Furthermore, the lack of debris means less time required to section off areas and cleanup following service.  The elimination of these previous drawbacks means ultrasonic impact treatment is not only faster and more affordable, but also reduces downtime – all of which contribute to a healthier bottom line.

Structural solidity, extended fatigue life, less downtime, increased profit margins and improved confidence all make ultrasonic impact treatment your best solution when considering metal improvement processes.