Ultrasound for Material Characterization and Processing

Ultrasonic waves are nowadays used for multiple purposes in many different fields from the non-destructive inspection of materials to sonochemical synthesis of materials and welding. Usually, ultrasonic applications are divided into low intensity/high frequency ultrasound and high intensity/low frequency ultrasound. Low intensity ultrasound transmits energy through the medium in order to obtain the information about the medium or to convey information through the medium.
It is successfully used in non-destructive inspection, ultrasonic dynamic analysis, ultrasonic rheology, ultrasonic spectroscopy of materials, process monitoring, applications in civil engineering, aerospace and geological materials and structures and in the characterization of biological media. Nowadays, it is an essential tool for assessing metals, plastics, aerospace composites, wood, concrete and cement. High intensity ultrasound deliberately affects the propagation medium through the high local temperatures and pressures generated. It is used in industrial processes such as welding, cleaning, emulsification, atomization, etc.; chemical reactions and reactor induced by ultrasonic waves; synthesis of organic and inorganic materials; microstructural effects; heat generation; accelerated material characterization by ultrasonic fatigue testing; food processing, environmental protection.