TRIBOCHEMICAL APPLICATIONS OF HIGH-INTENSITY ULTRASOUND - SONOCHEMICAL PRODUCTION OF INTERMETALLIC COATINGS IN HETEROGENEOUS MEDIA

An energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) study of binary mixtures of mixed com position metal powders exposed to high-intensity ultrasound in decane indicates that metal particles are fused by the action of ultrasound a nd develop intermetallic coatings. The principal mechanism behind both processes is interparticle collision caused by the rapid movement of particles propelled by shockwaves generated at cavitation sites. By ex amination of systems with differing metallurgical compatibilities (Ni/ Co, Cu/Cr, and Cu/Mo), it has been determined that the intermetallic c oatings are generated by both adhesive wear and direct impact. The mec hanisms of ultrasound-induced coatings are discussed.