Friction Under the Influence of Ultrasonic Vibrations

Abstract

Vibrations of various frequencies and amplitudes are used in many technical fields to influence frictional forces. The most known low frequency applications are vibration compactors and plates. High frequency oscillations are utilized to influence friction forces in metal working, assembly, wire drawing, and cutting. They are also used to combat contact instabilities in nanotribological instruments (e.g. in atomic force microscopy). There are several methods to induce directional motion based on exploiting the interactions between vibrations and friction. For example, methods of transportation and separation of mixtures using vibration belong to this category. The principle of operation of traveling-wave motors, which are used in cameras and objectives, is based on ultrasonic oscillations.