Applying ultrasonic vibrations to improve surface quality of ultrasonically burnished Al7075-T6

Abstract

Energy conservation has led to increased research on lightweight materials, with aluminum and its alloys being among the most commonly used – especially in the construction of aircraft and automobile bodies and engines. Since many of these components face wear and fatigue during operation, maintaining high surface quality is essential. Alongside material selection, the surface finish is greatly influenced by the processing methods applied to the workpiece. The ultrasonic-assisted burnishing process is a surface treatment method known for enhancing surface roughness while also boosting surface hardness and inducing compressive residual stresses, all of which are advantageous for improving surface quality. This study explores the impact of different ultrasonic vibration amplitudes (10, 20, and 30 µm) on the surface characteristics of Al 7075-T6 alloy through experimental analysis. The findings suggest that an optimal ultrasonic vibration amplitude of 20 µm achieves a high-quality surface with minimal friction coefficient and wear rate.