The work presents the test result of the influence of cooling rate on the microstructure of AZ91 alloy, Vickers micro-hardness and Brinell hardness. Studies cooling and crystallization of AZ91 alloy was cast into the ceramic shells pre-heated to 180 ° C and then air-cooled at ambient temperature or intensively super cooled in the liquid coolant. The TDA method was applied to record and characterize the thermal effect resulting from the phase transformations occurring during the crystallization of AZ91 alloy. The kinetics and dynamics of the thermal processes of crystallization of AZ91 alloy in the ceramic shells were determined. Metallographic tests were performed with the use of an optical microscope. A comparison of these test results with the thermal effect recorded by way of the TDA method was made. Influence of cooling rate of AZ91 on HV 0, 01 micro-hardness and Brinell hardness alloy was examined.

No abstract

The paper presents the results of research concerning the influence of a metallic micromaterial on the thermal conductivity λ, specific heat Cp, and thermal diffusivity a of modified geopolymers. Iron oxide in the form of powder with an average granulation of 10 μm was used as the geopolymer-modifying material. The research concerned geopolymer composite samples with metakaolin (activated with potassium silicate) and the addition of iron in amounts ranging from 0.5% to 2.5% in relation to the weight of the metakaolin. Additionally, the samples were modified with sand and fireclay in two different amounts—1:1 and 1:1.2 in relation to the metakaolin. The addition of fireclay caused a decrease in the thermal conductivity of the composites by 30% when compared to the samples with the addition of sand. The lowest value of the thermal conductivity coefficient λ was obtained for the geopolymer with metakaolin and fireclay. When the ratio of these components in the composite was 1:1, the value of thermal conductivity was equal to 0.6413 W/(m·K), while in the case of their ratio being 1:1.2, it was equal to 0.6456 W/(m·K). In the samples containing fireclay, no significant influence of the added iron on the values of thermal conductivity was noticed. In the case of the geopolymer with sand, the effect was noticeable, and it was most visible in the samples containing metakaolin and sand in the ratio of 1:1.2. It was noticed that with an increase in the addition of Fe, the thermal conductivity of the composite increased.

The article deals with the investigation of geopolymer foams (GFs) synthesized using by-products coming from the (i) screening-, (iv) pyrolysis-, (iii) dust abatement- and (iv) fusion-processes of the secondary aluminum industry. Based on principles of the circular economy to produce new technological materials, the experimental study involves industrial by-products management through the recovery, chemical neutralization, and incorporation of these relatively hazardous waste into the GFs. The geopolymeric matrix, consisting of metakaolin (MK) and silica sand (SA) with a 1:1 wt.% ratio, and chopped carbon fibers (CFs, 1 wt.% MK), was doped with the addition of different aluminum-rich industrial by-products with a percentage from 1 to 10 wt.% MK. The gas (mainly hydrogen) produced during the chemical neutralization of the by-products represents the foaming agents trapped in the geopolymeric structure. Several experimental tests were carried out to characterize the mechanical (flexural, compressive, and Charpy impact strengths) and thermal properties (thermal conductivity, and diffusivity, and specific heat) of the GFs. Results identify GFs with good mechanical and thermal insulation properties, encouraging future researchers to find the best combination (for types and proportions) of the different by-products of the secondary aluminum industry to produce lightweight geopolymer foams. The reuse of these industrial by-products, which according to European Regulations cannot be disposed of in the landfill, also brings together environmental sustainability and safe management of hazardous material in workplaces addressed to the development of new materials.

The paper presents the results of the investigation of the effect of Cr and/or V alloy additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the magnesium AM60 alloy. The examinations are performed within the frames of a project aiming at the elaboration of an experimental and industrial technology of producing constructively complex elements of machines and devices made of magnesium alloys with the method of investment casting. It has been proven that small numbers of Cr and V alloy additions improve the strength properties: Rm, A % , and the hardness HB of the obtained casts. The experimental casts were made in ceramic molds.Keywords: investment casting technology, AM60, Cr and/or V addition, microstructure, mechanical properties W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań wpływu dodatków stopowych Cr i/lub V na mikrostrukturę oraz właściwości mechaniczne stopu magnezu AM60. Badania prowadzone są w ramach projektu, którego celem jest opracowanie technologii doświadczalnej i przemysłowej wytwarzania złożonych konstrukcyjnie elementów maszyn i urządzeń ze stopów magnezu metodą wytapianych modeli. Wykazano, że niewielkie ilości dodatków stopowych Cr i V poprawiają właściwości wytrzymałościowe: Rm, A % , oraz twardość HB otrzymanych odlewów. Odlewy doświadczalne wykonano w formach ceramicznych.