Showing posts with label metal improvement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label metal improvement. Show all posts

Friday, April 29, 2011

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. 

Monday, October 1, 2007

Meeting The Challenge of the North Seas

2010 update: fatigue life reset to zero and 15 year operational life extension: http://blog.appliedultrasonics.com/2011/11/applied-ultrasonics-uit-resets-fatigue.html

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Applied Ultrasonics was hired to treat one of Noble Drilling's rigs in the North Sea, the Ton van Langeveld, an offshore drilling rig built in 1979 that had developed deep stresses from years of high demand work in the face of some the harshest operating conditions in the world. In the North Sea, a drilling rig takes a constant beating and welds are exposed to enormous stresses coupled with the corrosive saltwater environment.


Applied Ultrasonics uses a patented technology called, Ultrasonic Impact Technology (UIT) to treat a range of metals, removing weaknesses and reducing metal fatigue while extending the life of critical parts and structures.

Applied Ultrasonics' quick-reaction team was mobilized to treat welds inside and out on the cross bracing (the middle columns, K-joints, outer columns / chain lockers) using Applied Ultrasonics' PLC 05 portable equipment. The team got in, treated the high stress areas and got out with minimal time on the site, ensuring uninterrupted workflow while the Ton van Langeveld was in dry-dock.

Applied Ultrasonics' PLC 05 portable equipment was used to treat welds that were deep inside enclosed areas, thus imparting compressive stresses and stress relief in areas that are inaccessible by other methods. The results were successful in extending fatigue life by a factor of 6-8 while reducing overall downtime.

About Noble Corporation
Noble Corporation (NYSE: NE) is a leading provider of diversified services for the oil and gas industry. The Company performs contract drilling services with its fleet of 62 mobile offshore drilling units located in key markets worldwide, including th U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Middle East, Mexico, the North Sea, Brazil, West Africa and India. The fleet count includes five rigs under construction. Information on Noble Corporation is available at http://www.noblecorp.com/.

About Applied Ultrasonics
Applied Ultrasonics is the world leader in the design and delivery of Ultrasonic Impact Technology solutions, equipment and service for heavy manufacturing industries worldwide and currently owns 5 patents, 46 partner patent applications and numerous more patents pending. Applied Ultrasonics is based in Birmingham, AL with offices in Europe, Asia and Australia.

Contact:
Taylor Hanes
Business Development Manager, Applied Ultrasonics
205.951.7747
thanes@appliedultrasonics

Original post: http://www.appliedultrasonics.com/news.html#2