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This paper presents the result of a study evaluating the influence of alternative path generation strategy on structure and some mechanical properties of parts produced by Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology. Several scientific investigations focused on resolving issues in FDM parts by modifying a path generation strategy to optimize its mechanical properties. In this study, an alternative strategy was proposed with the intention of minimizing internal voids and, thus, to improve mechanical properties. Polycarbonate samples made by this alternative path generation strategy were subjected to tensile strength test and metro-tomography structure evaluation. The results reveal that the structure observed on build models differs from a structure expected from path generation predicted by software Insight 9.1. This difference affected the tensile strength of samples.

The paper presents the pressed joint technology using forming process with or without additional fastener. The capabilities for increasing the load-carrying ability of mechanical joints by applying special rivets and dies were presented. The experimental research focused on joining steel sheet metal made of different materials. The joint forming was performed with the solid round die and rectangular split die for riveted joint forming. The load-carrying ability of joints was evaluated by measuring the maximum load force in the shearing test in the tensile testing machine. The effect of joint forming process on joined material strain was compared by measuring the microhardness of the joints.

This paper presents the research results of the copolymer structure and properties of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and their hydrogels, obtained by block polymerization in the presence of iron sulfate (II). By the methods of chemical analysis, IR spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric (TG) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), the course of grafted copolymerization of HEMA on PVP with the formation of a cross-linked copolymer was confirmed. The results received by scanning electron microscopy showed that due to the copolymerization of HEMA with PVP, macroporous hydrogels with a pore size of 10–30 μm were obtained. The peculiarities of the structure formation of the obtained copolymers depending on the initial composition formulation were established and their structural parameters were investigated: PVP grafting efficiency, PVP content in copolymer, molecular weight of internodal fragment of polymer network, crosslinking degree, and crosslinking density. The interrelation of sorption–diffusion, physical–mechanical and thermophysical properties along with the structure of the obtained materials was proved. It was shown that with the increasing PVP content in the original composition, the efficiency of its grafting and crosslinking density of the polymer network decreased, but the surface hardness, heat resistance, sorption capacity of copolymers in the dry state, as well as ion permeability and elasticity in the swollen state increased, while their tensile strength deteriorated. It is proved that by changing the original composition formulation it is possible to change the structure and hence the properties of the copolymers in the desired direction.

The synthesis and study of metal-containing hydrogels, particularly those filled with nickel nanoparticles, is currently of interest to many researchers. This paper presents the results of an investigation of the structure and properties of Ni(0)-filled composites on the basis of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate copolymers (HEMA) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and their hydrogels. The authors of the article are the first who propose the method to produce these materials by combining the processes of polymer matrix synthesis and a reduction of Ni2+ ions. Synthesis is carried out in one stage without complicated equipment and is technologically simple. It is determined by thermometric research that the temperature conditions required for the chemical reduction of Ni2+ are achieved due to the heat released during the exothermic reaction of HEMA polymerization in the presence of PVP. With the help of Fourier transform infrared analysis, and thermogravimetric and differential-thermal analysis, the formation of a crosslinked graft copolymer based on HEMA and PVP was confirmed, and its structural parameters, including the efficiency of PVP grafting, PVP content in the copolymer, and the molecular weight of the interstitial fragment of the polymer network, were investigated. The results obtained with scanning electron microscopy revealed that the size of the Ni(0) particles is about 500 nm. X-ray structural analysis of the composites obtained confirmed the existence of metal nickel particles. The strength, elastic, sorption, electrical, and magnetic properties of the obtained composites in the solid (dry) and elastic (swollen) physical states, depending on the composition of the copolymer and the content of the metal filler, have been investigated.

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Numerical simulation is an important tool which can be used for designing parts and production processes. Springback prediction, with the use of numerical simulation, is essential for the reduction of tool try-outs through the design of the forming tools with die compensation, therefore, increasing the dimensional accuracy of stamped parts and reducing manufacturing costs. In this work, numerical simulation was used for performing the springback analysis of car body stamping made of aluminium alloy AA6451-T4. The finite element analysis (FEM) based software PAM-STAMP 2G was used for performing the forming and springback simulations. These predictions were conducted with various combinations of material models to achieve accurate springback prediction results. Six types of yield functions (Barlat89, Barlat2000, Vegter-Lite, Hill90, Hill48 isotropic, and Hill48 orthotropic) were used in combination with the Voce hardening model. Springback analysis was conducted in three sections of the formed part; the numerical results were compared with the experimental values. It was found that the combinations of Barlat's yield functions and the Voce hardening law were most accurate in terms of springback prediction. Additionally, it was found that the phenomena that were investigated, which are required for the determination of the kinematic hardening model, such as the change of Young's modulus E, the transient behaviour, work-hardening stagnation, and permanent softening, were not observed in the aluminium alloy studied.

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