Multiple smooth elements bonded to a ground; novel tools and methods for surface improvement of metals and other materials

Abstract

The Present Invention introduces novel methods and tools for improving the surfaces of metals and other flowable materials with smooth-surfaced tools, such as fibers and spheroids bonded to a ground. The new tools deform and compress rather than remove material, thereby increasing surface hardness, density, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, impermeability and corrosion resistance. Benefits include economies in production and maintenance, an improved work environment, and reduced costs for energy, stock materials and precious metal reclamation.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of smoothing a surface of a given object by plastic deformation, said surface exhibiting asperities, comprising the steps of:
 making a burnishing tool by affixing a plurality of smooth-surfaced members of a material harder than the material of the surface of the object to a substrate;   urging said smooth-surfaced members against the asperities in said surface with substantial local pressure, and simultaneously moving said tool with respect to said surface;   whereby said asperities are reduced, and said surface is smoothed, by plastic deformation caused by force exerted on the molecules of said surface by said smooth-surfaced members.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said smooth-surfaced members are affixed to said substrate by adhesive bonding. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said smooth-surfaced members are spheroids. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the material of said spheroids is selected from the group comprising metals, glass, carbides, and ceramics. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said smooth-surfaced members are fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the materials of said fibers are selected from the group comprising metal, glass and carbon fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said fibers are provided in the form of woven cloth, nonwoven batts, wire, or screen. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is provided in the form of a radially-symmetric member adapted to be rotated, such that said surface to be smoothed is pressed against said smooth-surfaced members on the surface of said rotating substrate. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is selected from the group comprising papers, meshes, woven and non-woven fabrics, resin impregnated fabrics, felts, polymer films and foams, polishing cloths and plated rigid planes of various materials. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is selected from the group comprising films, belts, discs, cylinders, wheels, flap wheels and brushes; non-woven pads; foam-backed cloth; and metal wools. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure at which the smooth-surfaced members are urged against the surface to be treated increased to the point that material of the surface is removed by adhesion to the smooth-surfaced members.