The value of internal friction is sensitive to the changes in the structure of powder materials taking place in the process of heating, deformation, exploitation and allows to give an integral evaluation by the presence of defects microcracks, porosity, mechanical strain and inter-particles boundaries.

Using the non-destructive method of control by the internal friction it became possible to choose optimal regimes of thermo- mechanical treatment of hard alloy composites and to increase their firmness up to 25-30 per cent. The results of experimental research into the formation of structure of hard alloy composites with lower contactness of carbide particles (grains), data of internal friction measurement of ceramic materials of different compositions are given.

The methods developed allow to perform an operative control of sintered powder products, to predict and purposefully influence the changes in their structural characteristics.

Ultrasonic structural analyser allows to choose products for exploitation with their optimal characteristics and to fix the limit of their working abilities before their destruction (on the stage of their rejection as defective, fatigue or resource testing).