- Introduction
- What is "Ultrasonics?"
- Nature of Sound Waves
- Cavitation and Implosion
- Benefits of Ultrasonics
- Ultrasonics Speeds Cleaning
- Complex Contaminants
- Ultrasonic Generators
- Pulse and Frequency Sweep
- Frequency and Amplitude
- Magnetostrictive Transducers
- Piezoelectric Transducers
- Ultrasonic Cleaning Equipment
- Maximizing the Cleaning Process
- Maximizing Cavitation
- Minimizing Dissolved Gas
- Maximizing Overall Cleaning Effect (1)
- Maximizing Overall Cleaning Effect (2)
- Conclusion
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Ultrasonic Cleaning: Fundamental Theory and Application
(p. 7)
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Complex Contaminants
Contaminations can also, of course, be more complex in nature, consisting of combination soils made up of both soluble and insoluble components. The effect of ultrasonics is substantially the same in these cases, as the mechanical micro-agitation helps speed both the dissolution of soluble contaminants and the displacement of insoluble particles. Ultrasonic activity has also been demonstrated to speed or enhance the effect of many chemical reactions. This is probably caused mostly by the high energy levels created as high pressures and temperatures are created at the implosion sites. It is likely that the superior results achieved in many ultrasonic cleaning operations may be at least partially attributed to the sonochemistry effect.
A Superior Process
In the above illustrations, the surface of the part being cleaned has been represented as a flat. In reality, surfaces are seldom flat, instead being comprised of hills, valleys and convolutions of all description. Figure 6 shows why ultrasonic energy has been proven to be more effective at enhancing cleaning than other alternatives, including spray washing, brushing, turbulation, air agitation, and even electro-cleaning in many applications. The ability of ultrasonic activity to penetrate and assist the cleaning of interior surfaces of complex parts is also especially noteworthy.
Figure 6
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