• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2021

Ultrasonic Nanocrystal Surface Modification (UNSM) is a peening technology that generates elastic-plastic deformation on the material surface to which a static load of a air compressor and a dynamic load of ultrasonic vibration energy are applied by striking the material surface with a strike pin. In the UNSM-treated material, the structure of the surface layer is modified into a nano-crystal structure and compressive residual stress occurs. When UNSM is applied to welds in a reactor coolant system where PWSCC can occur, it has the effect of relieving tensile residual stress in the weld and thus suppressing crack initiation and propagation. In order to quantitatively evaluate the compressive residual stress generated by UNSM, many finite element studies have been conducted. In existing studies, single-path UNSM or UNSM in a limited area has been simulated due to excessive computing time and analysis convergence problems. However, it is difficult to accurately calculate the compressive residual stress generated by the actual UNSM under these limited conditions. Therefore, in this study, a minimum finite element peening analysis area that can reliably calculate the compressive residual stress is proposed. To confirm the validity of the proposed analysis area, the compressive residual stress obtained from the experiment are compared with finite element analysis results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.576-579
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• 2014

Rails are continuously exposed to severe environments due to increases in train service frequency, passing tonnage, and speed. Wear is one of the most common types of damage observed on rails. The surface of railsis heat treated to secure safety at critical sites, such as curved tracks or turnouts. Ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM), a new approach for rails, was examined to strengthen the rail surface. The effect of UNSM on the wear resistance of rail specimens was compared with that of heat treatment. Wear resistance was improved after UNSM treatment due to increased hardness and surface compressive residual stress.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2008

To investigate the effect of ultrasonic nano-crystalline surface modification (UNSM) treatment on rolling contact fatigue and residual stress properties of bearing steels, this paper carried out a rolling contact fatigue test, measured residual stress and retained austenite, performed a wear test, observed microstructure, measured micro hardness, and analyzed surface topology. After the UNSM treatment, it was found that the surface became minute by over $100{\mu}m$. The micro surface hardness was changed from Hv730~740 of base material to Hv850~880 with about 20% improvement, and hardening depth was about 1.3 mm. The compressive residual stress was measured as high as -700~-900 MPa, and the quantity of retained austenite was reduced to 27% from 34%. The polymet RCF-6 ball type rolling contact fatigue test showed over 4 times longer fatigue lifetime after the UNSM treatment under 551 kgf load and 8,000 rpm. In addition, this paper observed the samples, which went through the rolling contact fatigue test, with OM and SEM, and it was found that the samples had a spalling phenomenon (the race way is decentralized) after the UNSM treatment. However, before the treatment, the samples had excessive spalling and complete exploration. Comparison of the test samples before and after the UNSM treatment showed a big difference in the fatigue lifetime, which seems to result from the complicated effects of micro particles, compressive residual stress, retained austenite, and surface topology.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.935-941
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• 2016

This study investigated the influence of high temperature and UNSM on the fatigue behavior of Inconel 718 alloy at RT, 300, 500, and $600^{\circ}C$. Fatigue properties of Inconel 718 were reduced at high temperatures compared to those at room temperature. However, the endurance limit was similar to that of the room temperature sample at the design stress level. High-temperature fatigue characteristics of the UNSM-treated specimen were significantly improved at the design stress level as compared to the untreated specimens. Specifically, the influence of temperature on the S-N curves at the design stress level of the UNSM-treated specimen showed the tendency of longer fatigue lives than those of untreated ones. Researchers can obtain rotary fatigue test results simply by heating specimens with a halogen lamp to precise temperatures during specific operations.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.313-324
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• 2015

Austenitic stainless steels have been widely used in many engineering fields because of their high corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties. However, welding or aging treatment may induce intergranular corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, pitting, etc. Since these types of corrosion are closely related to the formation of chromium carbide in grain boundaries, the alloys are controlled using methods such as lowering the carbon content, solution heat treatment, alloying of stabilization elements, and grain boundary engineering. This work focused on the effects of aging and UNSM (Ultrasonic Nano-crystal Surface Modification) on the intergranular corrosion of commercial 316L stainless steel and the results are discussed on the basis of the sensitization by chromium carbide formation and carbon segregation, residual stress, grain refinement, and grain boundary engineering.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.196-205
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• 2019

Surface modification techniques are known to improve SCC by adding large compressive residual stresses to metal surfaces. This surface modification technology is attracting attention because it is an economical and practical technology compared to the maintenance method of existing nuclear power plants. Surface modification techniques include laser, water jet and ultrasonic peening, pinning and ultrasonic Nano-crystal surface modification (UNSM). The focus of this study was on the effect of ultrasonic amplitude in UNSM treatment on the corrosion properties of Alloy 600. A microstructure analysis was conducted using an optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD). A cyclic polarization test and AC-impedance measurement were both used to analyze the corrosion properties. UNSM treatment influences the corrosion resistance of Alloy 600 depending on its amplitude. Below the critical amplitude value, the pitting corrosion properties are improved by grain refinement and compressive residual stress, but above the critical amplitude value, crevices are formed by the formation of overlapped waves. These crevices act as corrosion initiators, reducing pitting corrosion resistance.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.226-236
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• 2016

316L stainless steels have been widely used in many engineering fields, because of their high corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties. However, welding or aging treatment may induce intergranular corrosion and stress corrosion cracking etc. Since these types of corrosion are closely related to the formation of chromium carbide in grain boundaries, the alloys are controlled by methods such as the lowering of carbon content, solution heat treatment. This work focused on the intergranular corrosion mechanism of slightly-sensitized and Ultrasonic Nano-crystal Surface Modification (UNSM)-treated 316L stainless steel. Samples were sensitized for 1, 5, and 48 hours at $650^{\circ}C$ in $N_2$ gas atmosphere. Subsequently UNSM treatments were carried out on the surface of the samples. The results were discussed on the basis of the sensitization by chromium carbide and carbon segregation, the residual stress and grain refinement. Even though chromium carbide was not precipitated, the intergranular corrosion rate of 316L stainless steel was drastically increased with aging time, and it was confirmed that the increased intergranular corrosion rate of slightly-sensitized (not carbide formed) 316L stainless steel was due to the carbon segregation along the grain boundaries. However, UNSM treatment improved the intergranular corrosion resistance of aged stainless steels, and its improvement was due to the reduction of carbon segregation and the grain refinement of the outer surface, including the introduction of compressive residual stress.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.350-355
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• 2014

This study proposes a sustainable bearing remanufacturing process using the ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) technique. The UNSM technique is a newly developed and sophisticated surface modification technique that can increase the mechanical properties and improve the friction and wear performance of materials. Taking advantage of the bearing manufacturing process is the most significant way of optimizing the life of a bearing. The proper maintenance and usage of repaired bearings can increase their life to be equal to or greater than that of new bearings. This paper discusses the restoration of certain mechanical properties of worn, damaged, and discarded bearings, and suggests a remanufacturing process for used bearings, which can impart them with a lifespan equivalent to that of new bearings. The most damaged part of the discarded bearings is the raceway, which is the site of accumulated fatigue. The existing polishing or barrel finishing processes can recover the accumulated fatigue only partially. Rolling contact fatigue tests performed on UNSM-treated new and used specimens polished after $4{\times}10^6$ cycles reveal that UNSM-treated new specimens exhibit the longest fatigue life compared to other specimens. This study verifies the proposed complete fatigue recovery process, which can increase the fatigue life of used bearings to a level greater than that of new bearings.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.83-90
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• 2021

In this study, an ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) was used to improve the mechanical properties, scratch resistance and tribological performance of Cu-based bimetals, which are usually used to manufacture sliding bearings and bushings for internal combustion engines (ICEs). Two different Cu-based bimetals, namely CuPb10Sn10 and CuSn10Bi7, were sintered onto a low carbon steel substrate. The mechanical properties and dry tribological performance using a tensile tester and micro-tribo tester were evaluated, respectively. The scratch resistance was assessed using a micro-scratch tester at an incremental load. The tensile test results showed that the yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of both Cu-based bimetals increased after UNSM. Furthermore, the scratch and tribological tests results revealed that the scratch resistance and tribological performance of both Cu-based bimetals were improved by the application of UNSM. These improvements were mainly attributed to the eliminated pores, increased hardness and reduced roughness after UNSM. CuSn10Bi7 demonstrated better mechanical properties, scratch resistance and tribological performance than CuPb10Sn10. It was found that the presence of Bi in CuSn10Bi7 formed a Cu₁₁Bi₇ intermetallic phase, which is harder than Cu₃Sn. Hence, CuSn10Bi7 demonstrated higher strength and wear resistance than CuPb10Sn10. In addition, a CuSn10Bi7 formed both SnO₂ and Bi₂O₃ that prevented adhesion and improved the tribological performance. It can be expected that under dry tribological conditions, ICEs can utilize UNSM bearings and bushings made of CuSn10Bi7 instead of CuPb10Sn10 under oil-lubricated conditions.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2021

The surface texture produced via surface texturing is an important approach for controlling the tribological behavior of friction behavior of mechanical devices. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of grooves generated via ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) technology on the tribological performance of AISI 4150 steel against stainless steel 316L. In the study, tribological tests are performed under two different regimes, namely mixed and hydrodynamic lubrication, by varying the applied normal load and reciprocating speed during the tests. According to the test results, the friction coefficient decreases as static load (10 N, 30 N, and 50 N) of UNSM technology increases in the mixed lubrication regime. Conversely, the friction coefficient increases as the static load (10 N, 30 N, and 50 N) of UNSM technology increases in the hydrodynamic lubrication regime. Hence, the results indicate that micro-grooves generate hydrodynamic pressure in the outlet, which increases the oil film thickness between the two mating surfaces. This potentially leads to a reduction in friction in the mixed lubrication regime due to the prevention of contact of asperities and debris. However, the results indicate an adverse effect in the hydrodynamic lubrication regime. In this regard, additional experiments should be performed to investigate the effect of grooves generated by UNSM technology at varying conditions on the friction behavior of AISI 4150 steel, which in turn can be controlled by the generated pressure and oil film thickness at the contact interface.