Abstract: A method of manufacturing a charge dissipative surface layer on a member made from or consisting of a dielectric polymeric material or polymer-based composite which is intended to be used in space and other extreme environments, the member having at least one surface, in particular two opposing surfaces, each of the surfaces having a flat or a three-dimensional shape. The method includes carbonizing the at least one surface of the member in a vacuum environment through ion bombardment with simultaneous surface renewal in a dynamic way, by bombardment of the at least one surface with an ion beam formed in a gaseous linear high-current technological ion beam source of rare gas and added predetermined amount of a carbonaceous gas in the same ion beam gas admixture in order to achieve a treated carbonized surface layer with a uniform surface resistivity in a charge-dissipative range.

Abstract: A method of preparing a protective material is shown. In one aspect the method includes the steps of providing a powder mixture of solid particles having a size in the range of colloidal up to 100 &mgr;m. The particles have a ceramic or mineral composition. Then a liquid is provided to form an external phase of a suspension when mixed with the powder, to yield a solids volume concentrating greater then 0.5. The solid powder liquid mixture forms a thixotropic-dilatant liquid material. The rheological curve of the TDLM is adjusted to suit the application, resulting in thixotropic properties at low strain rates and dilatant properties at higher strain rates to yield a material that solidifies upon impact. The rheological curve is adjusted by one or more of additives, material composition and gravity mixing. In another aspect protective articles made from TDLM are provided.

Abstract: A device for ultrasonic peening of metals is intended for strengthening and relaxation treatment of metal surfaces with an ultrasonic oscillation and includes an ultrasonic generator (1) having the optimized power of from 0.2 to 0.5 kW, a piezoelectric transducer with an ultrasonic velocity transformer (6) and a set of readily replaceable heads with striking tools (pins). Various sizes and arrangements of the tools allow for ultrasonic peening of parts of complicated configuration fast and efficiently. In the device, drop-wise cooling and lubrication of striking tools, as well as of treatment area are provided.