What is ultrasonic?

Sound is the propagation of smallest pressure and density

variations in an elastic medium (gas, liquid, solid-state body). For
example, a noise is generated when the air in a specific spot is
compressed more than in the surrounding area. Subsequently, the
layer with changed pressure propagates remarkably fast in all
directions at speed of sound of 343 m/s.

Acoustic frequencies between 16 kHz and 1 GHz are referred to as ultrasound; in

industrial settings we call it ultrasonics. To clarify: people are able to hear
frequencies between 16 Hz and 20 kHz; i.e. the lower frequencies of industrial
ultrasonics are audible, especially if secondary frequencies are generated. And
what is more, ultrasonics is palpable when touching the weld tool. For ultrasonic
welding, the frequency range is between 20 kHz and 70 kHz.
Additional fields of application: Imaging ultrasound in the field of medical
diagnostics ranges between 1 and 40 MHz. It is not audible or palpable. In the
field of industrial material testing, ultrasonics is used at frequencies from 0.25 to
10 MHz.