The purpose of the work was to determine the infuence of the bulk density ρz of granules, processing parameters and the density of ski inserts ρw made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) on their damping properties. For this aim liners for ski helmets with 3 different bulk densities were made. Sintering time and sintering pressure were also changed. The percentage damping factor η was determined on the basis of the results obtained in the rebound resilience test. Based on the analysis of the obtained data, it was found that increasing the density of EPS pads ρw increases their damping properties and at the same time contributes to a decrease in elasticity, increase in hardness and brittleness of EPS products.

Packaging steels are thin gauge flat carbon steels coated with tin or chrome on both sides. They are very important raw materials for the production of steel packaging, which allow food to be stored safely and with an extended shelf life. The publication focuses on the production process of ETP and ECCS steel, as well as the problem of corrosion of steel packaging.

The topic of legislative changes that require the elimination of chromium (VI) compounds from the steel passivation process was also discussed. The packaging steel industry is currently facing the need to develop a new passivation technology. Leading packaging steel manufacturers in cooperation with varnish and paint suppliers have developed chromium (VI) free technologies by implementing chromium (III) compounds and titanium oxide technology.

Authors focus also on new trends and potential development directions for the packaging steel industry.

Nickel slag has a high-content iron and is a secondary utilization resource with great development potential. The coal-based direct reduction is an innovative technology that can be used to utilize the iron resources in nickel slag. The effect of the particle size of nickel slag on the strength and the reduction of nickel slag-coal composite briquettes were investigated. Four samples with particle size of 75~106 μm, 106~150 μm, 150~270 μm, and >270 μm were selected. The drop strength increased 9.4 times and the compressive strength reached 281.1 N when the nickel slag particle size decreased from >270 μm to 75~106 μm. The reduction degree determined by the data from the thermogravimetric experiment indicated that its maximum was 79.545%. The reduction experiments performed at 1200°C for 45 minutes indicated that the nickel slag with particle sizes between 75~106 µm were appropriate for the reduction of the nickel slag-coal composite briquettes.

Refill friction stir spot welding (RFSSW) was used to weld the 2060 aluminum alloy with 2 mm thickness. Joint formation, defect characteristics and mechanical properties were investigated. Results show that stir zone (SZ) is clarified into dynamic recrystallization zone (DRZ) and heat extruded zone (HEZ) due to different microstructural features. The size of void near the hook tip decreases with the increase of the plunge depth. Different hook morphologies are obtained under different plunge depths. The tensile-shear load of joint with the void defect initially decreases and then increases with increasing plunge depth. The mean loads of joints under different plunge depths are in the range of 5.1-5.8 kN. The void separates the hook from lap interface, so the cracks initiating from the hook propagate along the sleeve retreating path. The hook has a larger influence on the tensile-shear load of joint than void. All the tensile specimens present a shear-plug fracture mode.

The high-temperature deformation process and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) process of 21-4N were investigated under the conditions of the deformation temperature range of 1273~1453K, the strain rate range of 0.01~10s–1 and the deformation degree of 60% (the total deformation is 0.916) by using Gleeble-1500D thermal simulated test machine. The curves of stress-strain (σ – ε) were obtained, and the curves of work hardening rate (θ) and strain (ε) were obtained by taking derivative of σ – ε. The DRX critical strains under different conditions were determined by the curves of work hardening rate (θ – ε), and the DRX critical strain model was established. The peak strains of 21-4N were obtained by the curves of σ – ε, the relationship between peak stress (σp) and critical strain (εc) was determined, and the peak strain model was established. The DRX volume fraction models of 21-4N were established by using Avrami equation. The DRX grain size of 21-4N was calculated by Image Pro Plus 6.0, and its DRX grain size models were established.

We propose an empirical equation to predict the martensite start temperatures of highly alloyed steels containing more than 3 wt.% of Ni or Cr or 2 wt.% of Mo, W, or Co. The martensite start temperature calculated by the proposed equation was in good agreement with experimental data owing to not only the derivation from experimental data of alloy steels with a wide range of chemical compositions but also the interaction term between carbon and carbide-forming alloying elements.

Nowadays, aluminum-based composites have been produced by pure alumina (Al2O3) or pure graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in aluminum matrix because of the high compressive strength of alumina and the solid lubricant properties of graphene. However, there are no studies on the influence of both alumina and graphene reinforced aluminum composites. In this study, Al-Al2O3 and Al-Al2O3-GNPs composites were reinforced with pure alumina (between 0 and 30 wt.%), pure graphene (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 wt.%), and their hybrid forms (Al2O3-GNPs) by the powder metallurgy method. This method involved ultrasonic dispensing, mixing, filtering, drying, pressing, and sintering processes. From the test results, the micro Vickers hardness of pure aluminum (28.2±1 HV) improved to 51.5±0.8 HV (Al-30Al2O3) and 63.1±1 HV (Al-30Al2O3-0.1GNPs). Similarly, the ultimate compressive strength (UCS) enhanced from 92.4±4 MPa (pure aluminum) to 165±4.5 MPa (Al-30Al2O3) and 188±5 MPa (Al-30Al2O3-0.1GNPs), respectively. In conclusion, the Vickers hardness and ultimate compressive strength of aluminum hybrid composites improved up to 0.1 wt.% graphene content. After 0.1 wt.% graphene content, these mechanical properties decreased because of the clumping of graphene nanoparticles.

A hot compression test was conducted on a Gleeble-3500 thermo-simulation machine to study the critical conditions and kinetics of dynamic recrystallization in a high-carbon tool steel. The critical conditions for the initiation of dynamic recrystallization were determined using the working-hardening theory. The quantitative relationship between the critical characteristics of dynamic recrystallization and the hot deformation parameters were elucidated based on two different methods:the apparent method and physically based method. It was found that the two methods both have high applicability for the investigated steel, but the physically-based method needs less parameters and makes it possible to study the effect of different factors. A dynamic recrystallization kinetics model was used to calculate the recrystallization volume fraction under different conditions. The calculation results matched well with the data obtained from the flow curves.

Cu-2wt%Ag alloy with diameter of 10 mm was fabricated by induction heating directional solidification (IHDS). The effect of different mold temperatures on microstructure of IHDS Cu-2wt%Ag alloy was investigated. The results show that IHDS ­Cu-2wt%Ag alloy is mainly composed of coarse columnar grains at mold temperature of 1075°C. While the mold temperature is at 1100°C, 1150°C and 1200°C, respectively, the IHDS Cu-2wt%Ag alloy is composed of columnar grains and equiaxed grains and the number of grains increases. Meanwhile, the growth direction of columnar grains in the edge of alloys deviates from the direction of continuous casting to form “V” shape. While the mold temperature is controlled at high temperature, the induced current increases, which leads to the enhancement of eddy current in the mold. Therefore, the dendrites fall off to form new grains under the effect of eddy stirring, resulting in an increasing in the number of grains.

In this study, AZ91 Magnesium alloy is produced by cold chamber high pressure die casting (HPDC) method. Different combinations of the cold chamber HPDC process parameters were selected as; in-mold pressure values of 1000 bar and 1200 bar, the gate speed of 30 m/s and 45 m/s, the casting temperatures of 640°C and 680°C. In addition, the test samples were produced by conventional casting method. Tensile test, hardness test, dry sliding wear test and microstructure analysis of samples were performed. The mechanical properties of the samples produced by the cold chamber HPDC and the conventional casting method were compared. Using these parameters; the casting temperature 680°C, in-mold pressure 1000 bar and the gate speed 30 m/s, the highest tensile strength and the hardness value were obtained. Since the cooling rate in the conventional casting method is slower than that of the cold chamber HPDC method, high mechanical properties are obtained by the formation of a fine-grained structure in the cold chamber HPDC method. In dry sliding wear tests, it was observed that there was a decrease in friction coefficient and less material loss with the increase of hardness values of the sample produced by the cold chamber HPDC method.

Thermal fatigue properties of WCu45/FeCr18Ni9 steel brazed joint with Ni-Cr-Si-B filler metal were investigated. Results indicated that the fatigue damage of Ni-based joint was aggravated with the increased of thermal fatigue cycles times. Moreover, the fatigue cracks appeared in the brazing seam and FeCr18Ni9 steel side near the brazing seam, and the bending strength of the brazed joint decreased from 333 MPa of original joint to 160 MPa of having experienced 200 thermal fatigue cycles. The fracture characteristic of Ni-based joint underwent 200 cycles was identified as mixed ductile-brittle fracture under the combined effect of external bending load and internal fatigue damage.

Suitable and complete sets of stress-strain curves significantly affected by dynamic recrystallization were analyzed for 11 different iron, copper, magnesium, titanium or nickel based alloys. Using the same methodology, apparent hot deformation activation energy Qp and Qss values were calculated for each alloy based on peak stress and steady-state stress values. Linear dependence between quantities Qp and Qss was found, while Qp values are on average only about 6% higher. This should not be essential in predicting true stress of a specific material depending on the temperature-compensated strain rate and strain.

Ultrasonic assisted active-passive filling friction stir repairing (A-PFFSR) was proposed to repair volume defects in the metallic parts. Sound joints without interfacial defects could be achieved. Firstly, the ultrasonic was beneficial to improving material flow and atom diffusion, and then eliminated kissing bond defects compared to conventional A-PFFSR joints. Secondly, the equiaxed grains were refined by ultrasonic vibration. Lastly, the repairing passes were reduced due to the ultrasonic, which decreased softening degree of the repaired joints. The maximum tensile strength of 150 MPa was achieved. Therefore, this strategy to repair the volume defects is feasibility and potential in the remanufacturing fields of aerospace and transportation.

Ti-containing steel weld metals with Al contents of 0.01-0.085% were prepared. The effects of Al contents on the inclusions evolution were investigated by means of thermodynamic calculations coupled with electron probe micro-analyses and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the inclusions in the 0.01% Al weld metal are mainly composed of ilmenite with some amounts of (Mn-Si-Al)-oxide and titanial_spinel. When Al content is increased up to 0.035%, a more amount of corundum and a small amount of pseudobrookite are formed. In 0.085% Al weld metal, the (Mn-Si-Al)-oxide disappears completely, and the inclusions contain a substantial amount of corundum, in addition to a minimal amount of pseudobrookite. Ti3O5, MnTi2O4 and MnTiO3 are the primary constituents of pseudobrookite, titanial_spinel and ilmenite, respectively. Titanial_spinel and ilmenite have higher amounts of Mn, but lower Ti levels compared with pseudobrookite. In the case of presence of a considerable amounts of titanial_spinel and ilmenite, Mn-depleted zone is formed in matrix around the inclusions.

The study investigates the effect of heat treatment on the microstructure evolution and properties of an age-hardened ­Cu-3Ti-2Mg alloy. The precipitated Cu2Mg and β'-Cu4Ti phases consequently yield a depletion of the Cu matrix in regards to Ti and Mg solutes, which enhances the electrical conductivity. The Cu2Mg Laves phase and β'-Cu4Ti phase precipitates increase the hardness of the alloy due to the consistency and coherency of the later phase. However, the decrease of hardness is mainly associated with the coarse microstructures, that can be formed due to the phase transformation from metastable β'-Cu4Ti phase to more stable Cu3Ti phase. In the range of experiments, the optimum process is solution treatment at 700°C for 4 h, with subsequent age-hardening at 450°C for 4 h. The electrical conductivity, hardness, tensile strength, and elongation of the Cu-3Ti-2Mg alloy were 15.34 %IACS, 344 HV, 533 MPa, and 12%, respectively.

This paper presents an investigation into effect of nitrogen content of shielding gas mixture on weld geometry, microstructure and hardness of pulsed laser welded 2205 duplex stainless steel. Full penetration autogenous welding was performed on 2 mm thick plates using a low power pulsed Nd: YAG laser. light and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the resulting microstructures. It is observed that 2 mm full penetrated joint decreases to 1.8 mm by dominating nitrogen in argon-nitrogen mixture. Different morphologies of austenite phase as well as an increase of 8% of its content can be observed in pure nitrogen shielded welds. Average weld grain size in sample which is welded in nitrogen atmosphere stands at approximately 41 μm which is smaller than that of argon atmosphere which is about 51 μm. Micro-hardness test reveals that hardness values increase from 280 HV in base metal to 307 HV in weld center line and the shielding gas mixture does not significantly influence the weld hardness.

The influence of the processing temperature of polylactide (PLA) on the structure geometry changing (SGC) and its functional properties were analyzed. The PLA samples subjected to testing were manufactured using incremental fused deposition modeling technology (FDM) with processing temperatures ranging from 180°C to 230°C. The topography of the PLA surfaces formed during heat dissipation and generated by the work table was analyzed. The roughness measurements were carried out using the profile method in accordance with PN ISO 3274: 2011. Registered profiles of the surfaces were analyzed numerically in fractal terms using the method of the S(Δx) structure function. The functional properties of the PLA surface were evaluated on the basis of Abbott-Firestone curves, according to PN EN ISO 13565–2: 1999.

Recycling of aluminium returnable material through its reuse is now an essential component of the production of aluminium alloy castings. The main goal is to find a suitable ratio of the primary alloy and the returnable material in the batch, thus determining the right compromise between the price and the quality of the casting. Experimental alloys were evaluated by thermal analysis, combination of structural analytical techniques and selected mechanical properties. The alloys were also subjected to tearing susceptibility testing. The increase in the returnable material amount resulted in changes in the alloy properties at the first increase in volume to 20%. After exceeding the balanced ratio (50:50), there was considerable degradation of the microstructure, failure to achieve the minimum values of some mechanical properties required by the standard, and the alloy showed increased susceptibility to tearing.

In this investigation, the formation of oxide scales on different Co-Ni based superalloys of γ–γ′ type was analyzed. Co-20Ni-7Al-7W (at. %) alloy as well as its W-free modifications based on Co-Ni-Al-Mo-Nb and Co-Ni-Al-Ta systems was analyzed under conditions of high temperature oxidation at 800 and 900°C. Therefore, the alloys were isothermally oxidized at selected temperatures for 100 h in laboratory furnace. Afterwards, the oxidation products were evaluated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The performed tests showed that W-free alloys exhibit worse oxidation resistance compared to those of Co-Ni-Al-W alloys. After oxidation at 900°C, all alloys were prone of oxide spallation. The scales characterized by oxide peeling were mostly composed of complex Co-based oxides, including CoWO4, CoTa2O6, Co2Mo3O8, CoNb2O6.

The application of hardfacing is one of the ways to restore the functional properties of worn elements. The possibility of using filler materials rich in chrome allows for better wear resistance than base materials used so far. The paper presents the results of research on the use of 3 different grades of covered electrodes for the regeneration of worn track staves. The content of the carbon in the covered electrodes was from 0,5% to 7% and the chromium from 5% to 33%. The microscopic and hardness tests revealed large differences in the structure and properties of the welds. The differences in the hardness of the welds between the materials used were up to 150 HV units. The difference in wear resistance, in the ASTM G65 test, between the best and worst materials was almost 12 times big.

The goal of this article is to application of non-silica sands based on alumininosilicates as an alternative of traditionally used chromite sand for alloyed steel and iron castings. Basic parameters as bulk density, pH value of water suspension, refractoriness, grain shape of the testing sands were evaluated. Also mechanical properties of furan no-bake moulding mixtures with testing sand were determined. Finally, the influence of non-silica sand on casting quality was evaluated via semi-scale under normal casting production for sand characterization Optimization of production process and production costs were described.

The paper presents the research results concerning the chromium-nickel-molybdenum duplex cast steel GX2CrNiMoCuN 25-6-3-3 grade. The aim of studies was the description of the influence of hyperquenching temperature Tp i.e. 1100, 1125 and 1150℃ on microstructure and mainly mechanical properties i.e. tensile strength UTS, yield strength YS, hardness HB, elongation EL and impact energy KV of duplex cast steel GX2CrNiMoCuN 25-6-3-3 grade. The range of studies included ten melts which were conducted in foundry GZUT S.A. Based on the obtained results was confirmed that application of hyperquenching process guarantees the elimination of brittle s phase in the microstructure of studied duplex cast steel. Moreover on the basis of conducted statistical analysis of the researches results is concluded that with the decrease in hyperquenching temperature increases ductility and amount of austenite, while decreases strength and amount of ferrite in studied duplex cast steel GX2CrNiMoCuN 25-6-3-3 grade.

The article is focused on the synergic effect of constant content of Zr and higher content of Ti on mechanical properties Al-Si alloy. The Ti additions were in proportions of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 wt.% Ti. The casting process was carried out in ceramic molds, created for the investment casting technology. Half of the experimental samples were processed by precipitation curing T6. The measured results were compared with primary alloy AlSi7Mg0,3 and experimental alloy AlSi7Mg0.3Cu0.5Zr0.15. In variant with addition 0.1 wt. %, the tensile strength Rm increased by 1,5% but the elongation AM decreased to 40%. Variants with 0.2 and 0.3 wt. % addition of Ti achieved similar Rm but approximately 40% decrease in AM. However, it is interesting that yield strength Rp0.2 increased for all variants by approximately 14 to 20%. The results point out the possibility of developing a more sophisticated alloy for automotive industry.