Because of the diverse applications of metals and cost and weight issues always driving the need to extend the useful product life or accomplish structural equivalents with less material, the MIKRONITE® system has redefined the benefits of finishing operations from primarily cosmetic to massive improvements in product life and structure. With perfectly guided particle flow and either selective or universal application of energy, cold plastic deformation can be imparted as fine as a couple molecules deep or as far as case hardening , resulting in residual stress , multiples of product life, and quantifiable hardness changes on the surface while maintaining ductility through the lower layers.
Mechanical properties of metals and alloys can be broken into categories based on Toughness , Brittleness , Ductility , and Malleability . These are all related and may benefit from the fracture resistance created by the residual stress imparted on the surface. We are currently obtaining excellent initial results testing various materials to show how using such speed, force, and compression allows the residual stress due to the MIKRONITE® process to break category limitations
For example, after surface compression Brass which is known for its brittleness can structurally and chemically be altered to become stronger, more scratch resistant, and visually more appealing
Metals