Method of producing nanostructured metals using high-intensity ultrasonic vibration

Abstract

A method of producing a nanostructured article includes simultaneously subjecting a body of material to external force and vibration to produce a desired nanostructure in the body of material.

1 . A method of producing a nanostructured article comprising simultaneously subjecting a body of material to external force and vibration to produce a desired nanostructure in the body of material.  
   
   
       2 . A method of producing a nanostructured article in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said external force comprises at least one of the group consisting of external compressive force, magnetic force, and shear force.  
   
   
       3 . A method of producing a nanostructured article in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said vibration comprises ultrasonic vibration.  
   
   
       4 . A method of producing a nanostructured article in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said body of material comprises a metal.  
   
   
       5 . A method of producing a nanostructured article in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said external force and said vibration combine to produce alternating compressive stresses in the body of material.  
   
   
       6 . A method of producing a nanostructured metal article comprising simultaneously subjecting a metal body to external compressive force and ultrasonic vibration to produce a desired nanostructure in the metal body.  
   
   
       7 . A method of producing a nanostructured metal article in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said external compressive force and said ultrasonic vibration combine to produce alternating compressive stresses in the metal body.  
   
   
       8 . A method of producing a nanostructured metal article in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said external compressive force comprises a severe plastic deformation process.  
   
   
       9 . A method of producing a nanostructured metal article in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said severe plastic deformation process comprises equal-channel-angular-extrusion.  
   
   
       10 . A method of producing a nanostructured metal article in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said ultrasonic vibration is applied at a frequency in the range of 1 Hz to 150 MHz and at a power intensity greater than 200 W.  
   
   
       11 . A method of producing a nanostructured metal article in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said ultrasonic vibration is applied at a frequency in the range of 10 kHz to 25 kHz, and at a power intensity in the range of 500 W to 2000 W.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus for processing a body of material comprising means for applying external force to a body of material in combination with a vibrator disposed for simultaneously applying vibration to the body of material to produce a desired nanostructure in the body of material.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus for processing a body of material in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said vibrator is disposed in contact with said means for applying external force.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus for processing a body of material in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said vibrator is supported by said means for applying external force.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus for processing a body of material in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said external force comprises at least one of the group consisting of external compressive force magnetic force, and shear force.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus for processing a body of material in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said vibrator comprises an ultrasonic vibrator.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus for processing a metal body comprising means for applying external compressive force to a metal body in combination with an ultrasonic vibrator disposed for simultaneously applying ultrasonic vibration to the metal body to produce a desired nanostructure in the metal body.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus for processing a metal body in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said ultrasonic vibrator is disposed in contact with said means for applying compressive force.  
   
   
       19 . Apparatus for processing a metal body in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said ultrasonic vibrator is supported by said means for applying compressive force.