Experimental and numerical vibration analysis of surface mechanical attrition treatment

The surface mechanical attrition treatment creates a nanocrystal layer with improved mechanical properties without changing the surface chemistry. Vibration produces residual stresses in a layer close to the surface by successive impacts on the material surface. Vibration treatments represent a “green” alternative to surface treatments without the use of chemicals and high temperatures. Depending on the operating frequency and amplitude of a particular vibration platform, the most decisive parameter to be controlled for the efficiency of the application is the velocity. Vibration platforms in the SMAT process are ultrasonic and mechanically based platforms. This work presents a vibration platform where velocity is below 1 m/s, which is the lowest operating speed defined in the SMAT process. This work includes both analytical and numerical solutions to the natural frequency values of the vibrating table. The operating conditions were determined by finding the natural frequency values. The amplitude, velocity, and acceleration relations of the vibrating table that will occur during the process were found using the frequency response analysis method. ANSYS and MATLAB were used for numerical and analytical solutions, respectively. Numerical and analytical results were in agreement with the experimental modal analysis.