Low and high cycle fatigue are enhanced and have been documented to provide increases up to ten times greater than non-UIT specimens.
An acoustically tuned resonator bar is caused to vibrate by energizing it with a magnetostrictive or Piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer.
The energy generated from these high frequency impulses is imparted to the treated surface through the contact of specially designed steel pins.
Depending on the tool and the Original Equipment Manufacturer, these frequencies range between 15 and 55 kHz,[1] with the displacement amplitude of the resonant body of between 20 and 80 μm (0.00079 and 0.00315 in).
Incorporating a programmable logic controller (PLC) or a Digital Ultrasonic Generator, the frequency and amplitude of UIT are easily set and maintained, thus removing a significant portion of operator dependency.
The use of UIT on draglines and other heavy equipment in the mining industry has resulted in increased production and has decreased downtime and maintenance costs.