Influence of ultrasound hardening on surface quality

In industry, premature failure of machine parts and tools as a result of cyclic loads leads to considerable losses. The most important factor determining the life of machine parts is their surface quality. The surface quality of contacting machine parts has a great influence on the friction and wear, the durability, the noise, and the efficiency of the mechanisms in which they appear. At present, the most promising method of improving the surface quality of machine parts is pulsed ultrasonic hardening. Ultrasonic hardening is based on the energy of mechanical vibrations of an indentor at a frequency of 20 kHz, with an amplitude of 0.5‐50.0 µ m. The energy in the treatment zone is transmitted to the surface of the part by the static force acting from the tool. The equipment for ultrasound treatment includes a power source, a system regulating the treatment process, a mechanical oscillatory system, and a pressure drive.