Ultrasonic cleaning is a type of cleaning process which uses cavitation induced by alternating compression and rarefaction cycles at ultrasonic frequencies.
Cavitation removes contaminants on the surface of the part by imparting vibrations through implosions or oscillations of tiny cavities or voids.
An ultrasonic transducer converts a form of energy, usually electrical or mechanical, into an ultrasonic vibration. The two main types of ultrasonic transducers used for cleaning are piezoelectric and magnetostrictive.
The ultrasonic generator is the main component of an ultrasonic cleaner which receives power and converts it into a suitable form for energizing the transducer at the desired frequency.
Other parts of an ultrasonic cleaning machine are the tank, basket, and electrical heaters.
Several factors can affect cleaning efficiency. These are chemical solution properties, bath temperature, solution chemistry, dissolved gases, frequency, and power.
There are three main types of ultrasonic cleaning machine according to construction. These are single-tank, multiple-tank, and immersible ultrasonic cleaners.