A large number of infrastructural concrete buildings are protected against aggressive environments by coating systems. The functionality of these coating systems is mainly affected by the composition and thickness of the individual polymeric layers. For the first time ever, a mobile nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensor allows a non-destructive determination of these important parameters on the building site. However, before this technique can be used on steel-reinforced concrete elements, the potential effect of the reinforcement on the measurement, i.e. the NMR signal, needs to be studied. The results show a shift of the NMR profile as well as an increase of the signals amplitude in the case of the reinforced samples, while calculating the thickness of concrete coating leading to identical results.

This article presents measurements of the thickness of alcohol-based coatings on sand foundry cores and moulds. These coatings were applied using two methods, the dipping method and the painting method. For the purposes of the study, a zircon alcohol-based coating was prepared with three different levels of nominal viscosity; very thin at 10s, average at 20s, and thick at 30s. The coating was applied to a core made of quartz sand and furan resin. The cores were made of sand with three different grain sizes; dL = 0.22 mm – fine sand, dL = 0.33 mm medium sand, and dL = 0.47 mm coarse sand. In the study, the thickness of the coating obtained to the core was measured immediately after application as well as after drying. Additionally, the extent of penetration into the intergranular spaces of the core matrix was measured. On the basis of this study, the impact of the grain size of the core matrix on the thickness of the coating and its penetration into the core was assessed. The thickness of coatings obtained using different application methods was also assessed.

The article presents the results of permeability measurements of a zirconium alcohol coating applied on moulds and cores. The introduction extensively discusses the reasons for the application of protective coatings, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. Also, the problems related to the application of protective coatings are presented i.e. limited permeability and thus the possibility of the presence of gas-originated defects in the casts. Next, the paper discusses the methods of measuring the permeability of protective coating proposed by Falęcki and Pacyniak. The study also presents an indirect permeability measurement method. For the investigations, zirconium alcohol coatings with the three conventional viscosities 10, 20 and 30s were used. The viscosity was determined by means of the Ford cup with the clearance of 4mm. The coatings were applied onto profiles of Φ 50 x 50 mm, made of moulding sand consisting of a sand matrix with the mean grain size of dL = 0,11, 17, 24, 31 and 34 mm and phenol-formaldehyde resin. The effect of the matrix grain size on the permeability of the sand with and without a coating was determined.

In view of the ecological hazards of chemicals, pot experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy of Trichoderma sp. against Macrophomina phaseolina. Greenhouse evolution of the interaction between M. phaseolina isolates and Trichoderma sp. isolates revealed a very highly significant (p = 0.0000). M. phaseolina isolate x antagonist isolate interaction for all the following parameters: preemergence damping-off, postemergence damping-off, survival, plant height, and dry weight. This interaction implies that a single isolate of antagonist can be highly effective againstan isolate of M. phaseolina, but may have only minimal effectsonotherisolatesof M. phaseolina. Therefore, isolates of antagonist should be tested against as many isolates of M. phaseolina as possible, as this will improve the chance of identifying antagonist isolates effective against several isolates of M. phaseolina.

The objective of the research in this work was the modification of structure of carbide-type chromized layers, by the combination of diffusion chromizing with subsequent PVD treatment, consisting of chromium nitride deposition, carried out to improve their tribological properties. As a result, hybrid layers on the surface of tool steel were obtained. For comparison, the properties of single chromized carbide layers obtained in a diffusion chromizing process were tested. Investigations of layer microstructure, their mechanical properties, surface topography, adhesion of layers to the steel substrate, as well as tribological properties were conducted. The layer microstructure was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Topography of the layer surface was studied by an optical profilometer. The scratch test for investigations of layers adhesion to the steel substrate was used. Testing of tribological properties (linear wear) of the layers was performed by the three-cylinder-cone method. It was shown, that hybrid layers are characterized by a significantly smaller surface roughness than that of chromized carbide layers and their wear resistance improved almost twice with respect to carbide layers.

The influence of the refractory coating which is a mixture of silica flour and kaolin on the surface roughness of the plate castings produced

using evaporative patterns had been considered in this work. The kaolin was used as a binder and ratio method was employed to form basis

for the factorial design of experiment which led to nine runs of experiments. Methyl alcohol at 99% concentration was used as the carrier

for the transfer of the coating to the surface of the patterns. Pouring temperature was observed as a process parameter alongside the mix

ratios of the coating. Attempts were made to characterize the refractory coating by using two methods; differential thermal analysis (DTA)

and X-ray diffraction. Attempt was also made to characterize the casting material. Gating system design was done for the plate casting to

determine the correct proportions of the gating parameters in order to construct the gating system properly to avoid turbulence during

pouring of liquid metal. A digital profilometer was used to take the measurements of the surface roughness. It was observed that the mix

ratio 90% silica flour-10% kaolin produced the lowest value of the surface roughness of the plate castings and had the lowest material loss

in the DTA test. The pouring temperature of 650o

C produced best casting.

An analysis of the effect of drawing speed on the formation of a zinc coating in the multi-stage fine steel wire drawing process has been carried out in the article. Pre-hardened 2.2 mm-diameter material was drawn into 1.00 mm-diameter wire in 6 draws on a multi-stage drawing machine. The drawing process was carried out at a drawing speed of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 20 m/s, respectively. Mechanical tests were tests were performed for the final wires to determine their yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, uniform and total elongation and reduction in area. The thickness of the zinc coating on the wire surface was determined by the gravimetric method and based on metallographic examination. The use of electron scanning microscopy, on the other hand, enabled the identification of individual phases in the zinc coating. The above investigations were supplemented with corrosion testing of 1.00 mm-diameter wires. It has been demonstrated that drawing speed significantly influences not only the thickness of the zinc coating on the drawn wire surface, buts also its morphology and corrosion resistance.

The paper discusses the results of investigations of material, tribological and anti-corrosion properties of hybrid coatings of the Cr/CrN type, consisting of chromium and chromium nitride, formed on the surface of alloy tool steel by the Arc-PVD method. Investigations of the morphology and microstructure of hybrid coatings, as well as of their phase composition were carried out. The studies on mechanical properties included tests on hardness and Young’s modulus using the nanoindentation method. Tests on adhesion were conducted using the scratch-test method. Tribological properties of the obtained coatings were evaluated by the pin-on-disc method. Resistance to corrosion was determined by electrochemical methods. It was shown that hybrid coatings of the Cr/CrN type are characterized by good adhesion to the substrate and very good tribological properties, as well as by very good resistance to corrosion in a solution containing chlorine ions.

The paper presents the results of the electrodeposition of nickel composite coatings reinforced with the ceramic SiC particles. A Watts type galvanic bath modified with various organic additives was used. These additives were: 2-sulfobenzoic acid imide (LSA), dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium salt (DSS), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (THAM) and hexamethyldisilizane (HMDS). The nickel composite coating was electrodeposited on a 2xxx aluminum alloy series substrate (EN-AW 2017) with zinc interlayer. Studies concerned the effect of the applied organic additives on properties of composite coatings such as: microstructure, microhardness, adhesion to the substrate, corrosion resistance and roughness. The structure of the coatings was assessed by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Based on the studies of zeta potential it was found that the bath modification had a significant impact on the amount of the ceramic phase embedded in metal matrix. The tests conducted in a model 0.01 M KCl solution were not fully representative of the true behavior of particles in a Watts bath.

This paper presents the results of research of Ni/diamond composite coatings produced by electrochemical reduction method. Research was focused on composite coatings with nickel matrix and diamond as a disperse phase and for comparison purposes on nanocrystalline nickel coatings. Ni/diamond composite coatings were produced in baths with different content of nanodiamond powder. The structures of the dispersed phase and the composite coatings were analysed by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Measurements of selected properties of the coatings were performed, including roughness, microhardness, adhesion and abrasive wear resistance. The research results indicate that the produced coatings have a compact structure and good adherence to steel substrate. Moreover, nanocrystalline Ni/diamond composite coatings exhibit greater hardness and reduced abrasive wear resistance compared to nanocrystalline nickel coatings.

Underwater steel structures require periodic maintenance. In the case of vessels, anti-corrosion works are carried out in the shipyard, where very good conditions for applying organic protective coatings can be provided. Very good surface preparation can be obtained by the use of abrasive blasting. The well-prepared metal surface is free from impurities (particularly inorganic salts). Suitable conditions for the application and renovation of coatings are also ensured (creating appropriate climatic conditions, drying the air, setting the appropriate air temperature). However, there are underwater constructions that cannot be transferred above the water level and, therefore, their conservation against corrosion can take place only under the surface of the water, which significantly hinders the execution of renovation works. In this work, protective coatings for underwater application were tested. The application of coatings on selected steel surfaces over and under the water was carried out. Physico-mechanical and electrochemical tests were carried out in order to assess the quality of the obtained corrosion protection. The possible difficulties faced when applying coatings in marine conditions were discussed.

Porous metals show not only extremely low density, but also excellent physical, mechanical and acoustic properties. In this study, Hastelloy powders prepared by gas atomization are used to manufacture 3D geometries of Hastelloy porous metal with above 90% porosity using electrostatic powder coating process. In order to control pore size and porosity, foam is sintered at 1200~1300°C and different powder coating amount. The pore properties are evaluated using SEM and Archimedes method. As powder coating amount and sintering temperature increased, porosity is decreased from 96.4 to 94.4%. And foam density is increased from 0.323 to 0.497 g/cm3 and pore size is decreased from 98 to 560 μm. When the sintering temperature is increased, foam thickness and strut thickness are decreased from 9.85 to 8.13mm and from 366 to 292 μm.

Detection and identification of toxic environmental gases have assumed paramount importance precisely in the defense, industrial and civilian security sector. Numerous methods have been developed for the sensing of toxic gases in the environment ever since surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology came into existence. Such SAW sensors called electronic nose (E-Nose) sensor use the frequency response of a delay line/resonator. SAW device is focused and given importance. The selective coating between input and output interdigital transducers (IDTs) in the SAW device is responsible for corresponding changes in operating frequency of the device for a specific gas/vapour absorbed from the environment. A suitable combination of well-designed SAW delay lines with selective coatings not only help to improve sensor sensitivity and selectivity but also leads to the minimization of false frequency alarms in the E-Nose sensor. This article presents a comprehensive review of design, development, simulation and modelling of a SAW sensor for potential sensing of toxic environmental gases.

Six isolates of Trichoderma spp. (belonging to species; Trichoderma harzianum and T. longibrachiatum) were applied as seed or soil treatments to suppress damping-off of seedlings of ten cotton cultivars under greenhouse conditions. In most cases, cultivar x isolate interaction was a highly significant (p < 0.01) source of variation in the tested seedling growth parameters: incidence of disease, seedling height, and seedling dry weight. This interaction implies that a single isolate of Trichoderma can be highly effective in controlling the disease on a cotton cultivar but may have minimal efficiency in controlling the disease on another cultivar. It was also found that, in most cases, cultivar x isolate x application method was a highly significant source of variation (p < 0.01) in the tested growth parameters. Cotton cultivars showed differences in the disease reaction to the biocontrol agents. In the experiments evaluating the Trichoderma antagonists and their effect on seedling disease, a highly significant (p < 0.01) experimental treatment interaction was found. This interaction suggests that the outcome of cultivar x isolate interaction is markedly affected by the application method. Thus, the application method should be chosen to maximize the outcome of this interaction. The degree of the control of seedling disease in cotton differed according to the isolates of antagonists, the application method and cultivars.

The influence of the electrode geometry on the microstructure and corrosion behaviour of Co-Mo nano-crystalline coatings elaborated by electrodeposition is studied. The corrosion behaviour was determined in the Ringer’s solution at 25°C. Electrodeposition mechanisms are also discussed as a function of the electrode geometry. The electrode geometry was found to affect the growth rate and, under certain conditions, the microstructure (existence of channels and pores). It does not have influence on the corrosion behaviour.

This paper analyses the heat treatment of the hot-dip zinc coating deposited on both cast iron and steel. The aim of research is to increase coating hardness and wear resistance without decreasing its anticorrosion properties. Hot-dip zinc coating was deposited in industrial conditions (acc. PN-EN ISO 10684) on disc shape samples and bolts M12x60. The achieved results were assessed on the basis of microscopic observation (with the use of an optical and scanning microscope), EDS (point and linear) analysis and micro-hardness measurements. It was discovered that the heat treatment of zinc coating results in an increase in hardness which is caused by the corresponding changes in microstructure.

The influence on the corrosion behaviour of Co-Mo nano-crystalline coatings of dissolved oxygen is studied in the Ringer’s solution and artificial saliva at 25°C. This was done by means of potentiodynamic tests and surface observations. It was shown that dissolved oxygen has no influence on passivity, oxidation of the coating and selective dissolution of cobalt. By contrast, dissolved oxygen affects corrosion. General corrosion was observed in the Ringer’s solution whereas pitting corrosion was found in artificial saliva.

The paper deals with the issue of potential for improvement of resistance of wood chip fine grinders to abrasive wear by providing them with WCCoCr coating applied with the use of atmospheric plasma spraying (APS). The study focused on establishing parameters of the technological process of spraying a 250–270 μm thick coating onto surface of ductile cast iron castings used to date as grinder linings. The presented data include results of microstructure examination, chemical composition analysis, HV hardness measurements, and scratch tests for both previous and new variant of linings. The obtained scratch test results indicate that the material of the coating is characterized with definitely lower susceptibility to scratching. The scratch made on coating was 75–84 μm wide and 7.2–8.2 μm deep, while the scratch on cast iron was distinctly wider (200–220 μm) and deeper (8.5–12.8 μm). In case of cast iron, the range of variability in scratch width and depth was definitely larger. This can be explained with large difference in hardness of individual components of microstructure of cast iron and significantly larger plastic deformation of cast iron compared to the coating revealed in the course of indenter motion over surfaces of the two materials. It has been found that application of WCCoCr coating offered better resistance of lining surfaces to scratching which can be considered a rationale for undertaking in-service tests.

Studies were conducted on a zinc coating produced on the surface of ductile iron grade EN-GJS-500-7 to determine the eutectic grain

effect. For this purpose, castings with a wall thickness of 5 to 30 mm were made and the resulting structure was examined. To obtain a

homogeneous metal matrix, samples were subjected to a ferritising annealing treatment. To enlarge the reaction surface, the top layer was

removed from casting by machining. Then hot dip galvanising treatment was performed at 450°C to capture the kinetics of growth of the

zinc coating (in the period from 60 to 600 seconds). Analysing the test results it was found that within the same time of hot dip

galvanising, the differences in the resulting zinc coating thickness on samples taken from castings with different wall cross-sections were

small but could, particularly for shorter times of treatment, reduce the continuity of the alloyed layer of the zinc coating.

The work presents the analysis results of the structure of the coat obtained by dipping in silumin AlSi5 of two grades of alloy cast steel: GX6CrNiTi18-10 (LH18N9T) and GX39Cr13 (LH14). The temperature of the silumin bath was 750±5°C, and the hold-up time of the cast steel element τ = 180 s. The absolute thickness of the coat obtained in the given conditions was g = 104 μm on cast steel GX6CrNiTi18-10 and g = 132 μm on GX39Cr13. The obtained coat consisted of three layers of different phase structure. The first layer from the base “g1`” was constructed of the phase AlFe including Si and alloy additives of the tested cast steel grades: Cr and Ni (GX6CrNiTi18-10) and Cr (GX39Cr13). The second layer “g1``” of intermetallic phases AlFe which also contains Si and Cr crystallizes on it. The last, external layer “g2” of the coat consists of the silumin containing the intermetallic phases AlFeSi which additionally can contain alloy additives of the cast steel. It was shown that there were no carbides on the coat of the tested cast steels which are the component of their microstructure, as it took place in the case of the coat on the high speed steels.