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Hydrostatic extrusion (HE) belongs to the technology of plastic working, and is a specific variation of direct extrusion. Direct extrusion methods are mainly used to produce oblong solid or hollow products with different transverse-section profiles. The hydrostatic extrusion presented in this paper concerns titanium Grade2 and rods with a circular transverse section. The results of numerous studies have shown that the deformation of various metals by the HE method enables grain refinement and significant strengthening. Generally, it was found, that the HE method makes it possible to manufacture metals having nanograined and ultrafinegrained structures. The aim of the work was to evaluate the possibilities of using the hydrostatic extrusion method for plastic working of titanium Grade2. The HE method was characterized and its great potential in the context of processing Ti Grade2 was demonstrated. In this paper, four exemplary, independent technological processes of the hydrostatic extrusion of titanium were presented and discussed. The results of our structural research and tests of the mechanical properties of the products obtained were presented. Those results proved that, using HE technology, it is possible to obtain in titanium Grade2 a nanograined structure characterized by an average grain size of 50-70 nm. At the same time, a significant strengthening of the extruded material was observed, expressed by an increase in yield strength, tensile strength and hardness. The obtained nanograined titanium was characterized by mechanical properties comparable to that of titanium Ti6Al4V alloy. Moreover, in the presented work it was confirmed that it is possible to produce solid and bulk nanograined Ti in the form of rods of different diameters i.e. that is possible to scale up the diameter of the billet and the product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, author presents the assumptions and preliminary results of experimental tests of the process of forming thin-walled elements using a hybrid, laser-mechanical technique. An immobile laser beam with a rectangular cross-section was used in the presented method. Author presents, among other things: the main idea of the hybrid method, one of the concepts selected for realization, design of the test stand and the station that was built for bending of thin-walled pipes and conical diffusers used in the design of aircraft engines. Inconel 618 and Inconel 625 high-temperature creep-resistant nickel superalloys and AISI 410 and AISI 325 heat-resistant martensitic steels are the target materials for testing. Due to their high mechanical properties during work at elevated temperatures, these materials are used in the construction of turboprop engine subassemblies. For economic reasons, tests were performed on X5CrNi18-10 acid-resistant austenitic steel. The hybrid method presented in the paper (assumptions, concept, design) was validated under laboratory conditions. The forces required to obtain plastic strains in the element and bending angle were measured, and the temperature of the process was determined. Temperature control throughout the process is an important innovation. It makes it possible to preserve the steel's initial structure and thus maintain the product's strength properties. Based on the tests performed, it is planned to conduct numerical simulations of the process and perform metallographic examinations of ready components. Moreover, the research conducted indicates the direction of further action. This is shown by, among other things, continuous modification of the design and the process itself. The presented test results are discussed. Based on obtained effects, further work on the hybrid laser-mechanical method of forming thin-walled elements will be planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper concerns aspects related with surface layer of gray iron modification using laser heat treatment (LHT) mainly to achieve the increase of the resistance to tribological wear of machine elements parts made of this iron. In this paper the influence of laser alloying with boron on the microstructure of the nodular iron surface layer is presented. The aim of the research was the evaluation of the structure of laser alloyed zone with boron in the surface layer of nodular iron using Auger Electron Spectroscopy. This method has been chosen because of special research possibilities dedicated to layers made of light elements. Surface layer modification was made using CO2 Trumpf molecular laser with continuous wave with 2600W output power and TEM0,1 mode. Except AES method to evaluate LHT effects optical and electron scanning microscopes and X-ray diffractometers were applied. Hardness was assessed by Vickers method with the load of 0.9807N. Laser alloying with boron of nodular iron makes possible to achieve the surface layer made of finegrained remelted zone enriched with new phases containing implemented element, the transition zone and the hardened zone form the solid state. The remelted zone allows for approximately 7-fold increase of the harness of the surface layer of the iron. The research with AES of this zone showed the existence of born implemented during LHT. Its amount was about 10% at., which made possible to create Fe2B borides. Presence of those borides was confirmed by microscopic observation and X-ray diffraction. In addition, it was showed that less amount of implemented element could be expected in the middle of the remelted zone, where lower hardness has been also found. Moreover, in the remelted zone in the neighborhood of the transition zone large differences in proportions of iron and boron has been detected. It points to more fine grained microstructure in this place. Presence of such fine grained microstructure was confirmed by microscopic observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the possibility of applying Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) procedures in the production of flat metallic elements, such as sheet metals, tapes or flat bars, is being discussed. It focuses on methods involving dynamic changes of deformation path, particularly on a well-known KOBO method and on a recently developed process of complex, complex rolling (CR), conducted under the conditions of triple-axial, changing compressive stress. During the experiment carried out for this paper, flat bars made from a model material of zinc alloyed with 0,015wt.% aluminum were used. The addition of aluminum was aimed at reducing the activity of structural renovation of zinc, i.e., its recovery and recrystallization taken place as a result of the natural phenomenon of temperature rise accompanying severe plastic deformation processes. The flat bars were obtained via low-temperature KOBO extrusion with a side outflow. They were subjected to complex rolling, consisting of subsequent rolling, upsetting, cyclic shearing and extrusion, carried out as a single pass. It was established that flat bars obtained in this way were not breaking (cracking), unlike after conventional rolling. Moreover, it has been proved that the higher the set compression, the lower the flat bars' hardness, although it was still higher than before complex rolling. On the other hand, the structure of flat bars obtained as a result of this procedure is highly fibrous and has sporadically occurring new, individual grains, the number of which rises with the increase of compression degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the fundamental criteria of user assessment of product quality is the reliability i.e. the capability of performing its functions in a specified time. The level of reliability can be increased by reducing this time (e.g. maintenance intervals), resizing of the rolling pair or reducing the product reliability scatter. The problem of reliability scatter particularly pertains to the components of machines whose further worthiness heavily depends on surface fatigue. Such components are roller bearings, toothed wheels and guides. The analysis of the results of roller bearing durability investigations as well as information provided in scientific publications, forces a conclusion that, despite the fact that roller bearings are widely applied in machine design, their potential is utilized only to a limited extent, which results from the extremely wide scatter of surface fatigue strength. The paper discusses the phenomenon of surface fatigue and concludes that the scatter of the surface fatigue strength is heavily determined by the measurable design, technology and operation related factors. The paper describes the procedures of calculation of the life of roller bearings as proposed by the ISO 281 standard and the manufactures of bearings. The author draws attention to a connection of the calculation procedures with the life scatter and points to the imperfection of these methods. The author also points to the fact that, despite the advancement of the bearing manufacturing technologies, the life scatter assumed in the calculations has not changed for decades (B = 1,5). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of tests conducted on extruded, thin-walled (wall thickness approx. 1.2 mm) closed shapes made of AW-6082 alloy. Shapes were extruded using the bonding extrusion method, by means of 6-hole dies. Sections cooled in three ways at the exit from the press were tested: water spraying, water cooling with a socalled "water wave" and air blowing. A methodology of testing was developed, allowing for assessment of the plastic formability of extruded shapes, mainly through bending and expanding. AW-6082 alloy is more difficult to extrude than 6063 or 6060 alloys, since its higher strength and lower plasticity make it difficult to obtain walls of low thickness and high extrusion rate. As demonstrated in previous studies, such shapes achieve very good strength properties, reaching up to Rm = 340 MPa, but they are characterized by limited plastic formability. This paper presents the results of bending, buckling, expanding and flexion tests on a three-roll machine. It was determined that the maximum compressive force determined in the buckling test of a segment 650 mm in length, indicating the greatest resistance to buckling, corresponds to shapes cooled by means of a so-called "water wave" on the coasting of the press. These shapes were also characterized by the greatest deflection in the three-point bending test. The elevated plasticity and plastic formability of these shapes was confirmed in a cone expansion test, where relative deformation values were 35% greater than in the case of shapes cooled by air blowing or water spraying. Metallographic examinations revealed that crack initiation in the expansion test occurs at welds in shapes, and enlarged grain size was observed in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of technologies for the production of very fine-grained materials is currently very intensively accelerated. On VSB-Technical University of Ostrava developed a method that uses the principle of severe plastic deformation to refine the structure and enhance mechanical properties of sheet metal strips. The greatest importance in practice represents an increase in proof stress and tensile stress of sheet metal strips. Dual Rolls Equal Channel Extrusion (DRECE) method is a newly developed method. Severe plastic deformation results in a high degree of the material reformation. The method can be used to produce metallic materials with a very fine grain structure (hereinafter referred to as ultrafine grain structure). The forming process is based on extrusion technology with zero removal of the sheet strip thickness with the ultimate aim of achieving a high degree of deformation in the formed material, resulting in a significant improvement of mechanical properties in the input material. The paper analyses the effects of the values of angles of the newly developed forming tools on the achievement of mechanical properties in selected materials Cu and brass in the SPD process. The following types materials were verified experimentally - strip sheet with dimensions 58 (width) x 2 (thickness) x 1000 (length) mm. The paper also evaluates the influence of severe plastic deformation (SPD) on strengthening these materials at different values of the angle in the forming tool. The influence of new geometries of forming tools for improving mechanical properties has been unequivocally demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of tests of the mechanical properties of aluminium alloys 5754, 5083, 5019 and AlMg7. The alloys with magnesium reach satisfactory mechanical properties, and their corrosion resistance is even 3 times that of the most commonly used alloys of the 6xxx series (AlMgSi), making them a desirable material in many branches of industry. The necessity of applying lower extrusion speeds and much lower deformability of the 5xxx series alloys as compared to the 6xxx series are the reasons why extrusion is more rarely applied as the technology of manufacturing details from these materials. In order to compare the mechanical properties of the alloys mentioned above, a static tensile test of samples taken from aflat open section has been performed. It was found that mechanical properties increase with the growth of magnesium content (from Rm of 220 MPa at 3.5% Mg content to 290 MPa at 5% Mg content) while maintaining similar plasticity at the level of 25% Ago mm elongation. Additionally, a three-point bending test was performed on samples taken from the section in the transverse direction. Samples were loaded within the elastic range in order to determine the deflection. It was determined that profiles extruded by a nonstandard die (enlarged size of pre-chamber and corrected die land, relative to standard die) exhibit slightly higher stiffness than those extruded by the standard die used for extruding 6xxx alloys. Next, curves of reduced bending stress og as a function of relocation were determined, and bending strength, Rg, was determined on their basis. The paper also presents the results of the static tensile test of whole pipes, extruded by a porthole die, with an outer diameter of 42 mm and wall thickness of 3.5 mm. No significant differences in the properties of closed sections as compared to the open ones were found, which proves that the weld does not influence the strength properties of the sections in the longitudinal direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of numerical modeling of the forging hot forging process of the yoke type forging used in the steering system realized on the crank press. The main purpose of the analysis was to use computer simulation to analyze and improve the industrial forging process. The thermomechanical model of forging process with deformable tools was developed using the Forge NX 2.0 software. Catia program was used to build models of forging tools. As a result of the modeling obtained, inter alia: temperature distributions and plastic deformations for the forging (taking into account thermally activated phenomena), as well as grain size changes and forging forces. The obtained results allow for a full analysis of the forging process, including: identification of potential forging defects (overlaps) and the influence of time and temperature of deformation on the grain size in the forging material, which in the future may allow using the forging heat for the planned heat treatment and obtaining a specific microstructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperature of deformed material is one of the most important parameters in many technological parameters, including rolling processes. The detailed knowledge and control of the temperature distribution in the material during individual rolling process stages enables the conduction of the process under conditions that ensure finished product of the desired microstructure and mechanical properties to be obtained. The study presents the results of the temperature measurements of deformed metal during rolling processes in industrial and laboratory conditions, respectively. Industrial tests were conducted during the process of rolling steel plates. Laboratory tests were carried out for the process of rolling a hard deformable aluminum alloy on a three-high skew rolling mill. The obtained temperature values were compared with values recorded by measuring systems installed in technological lines, as well as with the results of numerical computations. Moreover, the paper presents the results of temperature tests of cast iron rolls and rolls with rings made of sintered carbides, during the ribbed bars multi-strand rolling process. ThermaCAM SC640 Thermovision Thermometer from FLIR Systems, equipped with an uncooled detector, was used to test the temperature. On the basis of the results presented in this study it has been established that in situations, where it is not possible to take measurements by the contact method, with correctly defined parameters (primarily, the emissivity of the material to be examined), a high accuracy of temperature measurements can be achieved using the thermovision technique. The investigation carried out within the study has demonstrated the advantages of the thermovision technique that enables the determination of the distribution of temperature on the examined material surface, by contrast to the spot measurement using a pyrometer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents computing capabilities of the original software DEFFEM as regards simulating resistance heating/remelting, along with examples of results validating the adopted assumptions of the numerical model. The simulation package is an integral part of the developed methodology, and is based upon the finite element method, the smoothed particle hydrodynamics, and the Monte Carlo method for the full 3D simulation of the selected effects of high temperature steel processing. The formulated thermal model of resistance heating/remelting is based upon the solution of the Fourier-Kirchoff equation. The boundary conditions in the form of heat fluxes have been adopted in accordance with the conditions of a test performed within the conditions of the Gleeble 3800 thermophysical simulator system. Contact effects and heat transfer to the environment were modelled using a substitute heat transfer coefficient. During the numerical simulation of resistance heating/remelting within the Gleeble 3800 simulator system, the heat accompanying the electric current flow was included in the F-K equation as the power of internal heat sources. When modelling the heat generation resulting from the electricity flow, it was assumed that its equivalent in the numerical model would be a voluminal heat source with its power proportional to the resistance, the square of electric current intensity, and the intensity function selected on the basis of experiments. The DEFFEM software can be used, among others, for analysing and modelling a new energy-saving strand rolling process, in which the solid phase and the liquid phase coexist. This process is improved as compared to the conventional metallurgical process (casting followed by strand cold rolling). The new process is more cost effective and has an advantageous environmental impact, due to the reduction of gas emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents characterize structure of the copper alloy CuCr0.6 (C18200) after applying two methods of cyclic deformation: the method of extrusion with the rotating matrix KoBo and compression with oscillatory torsion. The deformation processes were applied on the material after solution and solution and aging.(after saturation and aging). Shown that applied the SPD metod allows on the fragmentation struture but effects of the framgentation on the structure depends on the method used. As a result of COT deformation, most of the structures obtained are grains with small disorientation angles and high dislocation density inside the grains. After KoBo has been applied to the structure is present in the distribution of recrystallised grains. The test was carried with the use of scanning transmission electron microscope STEM Hitachi HD-2300A. The Metilo programme was used for quantitative analysis. The Future-Tech FM-700 machine was used to perform hardness measurements. The hardness of alloys under a load of 0.1 kg was tested. The mechanical properties after the application of KoBo were evaluated on the basis of a static tensile test carried out on an Instron 4505/5500R machine. Mechanical properties after the application of the COT, the tensile strength of the micro samples was determined on the basis of a static tensile test on the MST QTest/10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The publication concerns the analysis of dynamic characteristics of the FSW process based on the effect of plasticization of joined elements from titanium alloys and the effect of their mixing in the welding zone, with particular emphasis on the specificity of joining thin sheets. The effect of the parameters such as tool rotational and travel speed (welding speed), geometry and material of the tool, temperature, was shown. Plasticization in the welding zone requires an appropriate level of shear stress to activate the flow plasticity mechanism. The value that represents the material's response to external loads causing its plasticization is the value of axial and radial forces during welding. The temperature of the FSW process for titanium sheets oscillates around 1000°C. There is a need to use advanced tool materials (e.g. special tool ceramics) and the use of special cooling systems for tool and the fixtures. The paper presents the results of welding thin GRADE 3 titanium sheets with a thickness of 0.5 mm in butt joints, using tools made of sintered carbide and a special tool ceramic, with dimensions adapted to the thickness of the sheet. During the welding, the values of axial and radial force were recorded. The quality of the joint was evaluated based on the mechanical properties of the joint and microstructure analysis. It was shown that the appropriately selected technological and geometric parameters of the FSW process together with the appropriate tools resulted in obtaining high quality connections and high repeatability. The best results were obtained using a ceramic tool, a rotational speed of tool at 4000 rpm and a travel speed of 100 mm/min. These conditions ensure that the weld has joint efficiency on 84% level compared to parent material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium and its alloys are characterized by low density, high resistance to high temperature and corrosion. Titanium alloys can be electron beam welded or TIG method, but it is required to use shielding gases and proper cleaning of connected elements. The biggest problem in the welding of titanium and titanium alloys is the presence of bubbles and brittleness caused by air pollution directive, for this reason, the FSW method is an advantageous alternative to the connecting elements of titanium. This paper presents the possibilities of using ceramic materials for tools and other tooling elements in the implementation of friction stir welding of GRADE 3 and GRADE 5 titanium sheets. High temperature generated during the FSW process requires the use of advanced tool materials. Joint quality was assessed by analyzing mechanical properties, microstructure and waveforms forces. It has been shown that the use of ceramics materials for tools and fixing elements allows to make defect-free, high-quality FSW joints of titanium alloys. High temperature properties of ceramics strongly contribute to the simplification of the fastening elements of welded sheets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of research on the impact of the asymmetric rolling process on strip start bending, force-energy parameters (contact force, rolling torque and rolling power), elastic deflection of the working rolls and rolling mill stand. Theoretical research was carried out using the FORGE® computer program, based on the finite element method, for a strip of the initial height h0=10 mm from S690QL steel. Simulations of the rolling process were performed for a symmetrical process, as well as for a process with one and two types of asymmetry. One type of asymmetry was obtained by varying the velocity of the working rolls (kinetic asymmetry), and the second type by differentiating the working roll diameters (geometric asymmetry). In the case of simultaneous use of two asymmetry types, the asymmetry coefficients were equal. The obtained theoretical results concerning reduction in the total contact force were compared with the results obtained for the finishing stand of an exemplary 3600 heavy plate rolling mill and on this basis a reduction in the elastic deflection of the working rolls and the rolling mill stand was determined. The research aimed to determine the effect of reducing the total contact force on the elastic deflection of the rolling stand elements. Due to the smaller elastic deflection of the rolls, smaller forces to bend the working rolls can be used. This will reduce the dimensional deviations both over the length and width of the finished plates. In addition, it will be possible to expand the range of rolled metal to thinner and wider products than those produced according to traditional rolling technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the tests results of influence of the rolling process parameters on the liability to plastic deformation, mechanical properties and structure of steel types 23MnB4, 30MnB4, C45 and C70 meant for rolling wire rods in a modern continuous mill. The plasticity assessment was conducted with the use of hot torsion test using torsial plasto meter in rolling temperature range for the wire rod from 850 to 1150oC with deformation speed of 0.1, 1 and 10 s-1. The dependencies of yield stress to deformation were determined together with values characterising the liability such as: maximum yield stress, value of deformation equivalent to maximum stress and deformation to failure. Those values were dependent on temperature and speed of deformation as well as activation energy and Zener-Hollomon parameter. It was stated, on the basis of conducted plastometric tests of steel types 23MnB4, 30MnB4, C45 and C70 that they are characterised with big deformability reaching the value of boundary deformation ɛg above the value of 20 in the lowest deformation temperature and constant increase of deformability with the increase of temperature. However, the values of maximum yield stress vary depending on tested steel type and they are more dependent on temperature and speed of deformation. Tests concerning the influence of rolling parameters and cooling on the quantitative features of pearlite microstructure and mechanical properties of wire rods were conducted on model rolling mills in VSB Ostrava. Microstructure tests of steel types 23MnB4, 30MnB4, C45 and C70 after plastometric tests and rolling tests were conducted with the use of light and scanning microscopy. Additionally, quantitative analysis of microstructure of pearlitic steel was conducted with the use of new computer program "PILS" - Pearlite Inter-Lamellar Spacing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser treatment, particularly laser hardening, utilizes the high energy of laser radiation to heat small surfaces of the treated material as well as the material's thermal conductivity in order to achieve rapid cooling of the heated area. Specific conditions and effects of applying such treatment have made this technology attractive in many cases. This paper undertakes to assess the influence of the structural state of steel related to chemical composition on the effects of laser treatment. The first part contains an assessment of carbon steel with varying carbon content, treated under relatively stable conditions; tests were performed on one machine (technological CO2 laser from TRUMPF), at a changing laser beam travel speed - 16, 24, 32 and 64 mm/s. The method of HV0.1 hardness mea surement was used to determine the layer's parameters (depth and width at 0.3 mm depth), and observations of the structure of E04J, 15, 35, 45, 55, N7E and N8E steels were conducted under a light microscope. It was expected to determine the influence of carbon content in steel and the influence of laser beam heating intensity on the structure and properties of the layer hardened with melting of carbon steel, including after traditional tempering. Tests showed that increasing carbon content in carbon steels within the range of 0.04-0.70% C (E04J, 15, 35, 55 and N7E steels) increases hardness after laser hardening - respectively - by 314 HV0.1 to 1054 HV0.1 (after tempering, hardness was reduced proportionally), however it does not have a significant impact on the so-called layer parameters (depth and width at 0.03 mm depth). It does, however, affect its shape; the layer's depth to width ratio was, respectively for E04J, 45 and N8E steels - 1.16; 0.97 and 0.69. Carbon content also affected the nature of discontinuities in the hardened zone after melting; bubbles appeared in steels with lower C content, and crevices in steels with higher C content. Tests also revealed that increasing laser beam travel speed reduces the depth of the hardened layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes research on longitudinal rolling and rolling with deformation path changes of copper and Inconel 825 nickel alloy. Rolling with deformation path changes included two stages. In the first stage the material underwent a longitudinal rolling, after which specimens were cut out from the obtained rolled samples at the same angle as the angle of the material's twisting observed during its flow forming. Subsequently, these specimens underwent another longitudinal rolling procedure. The research was a benchmark for monotonic longitudinal rolling testing. Roughness and microhardness of specimens rolled with both methods were established in order to evaluate deformation mechanisms in the following cases - conventional longitudinal rolling, rolling with deformation path changes, and flow forming. Structural observations with the use of optical and scanning electron microscopy were also carried out. The impact of the process' parameters on grain structure and the material's susceptibility to localization of deformation in the form of shear bands were established. Topography of side surfaces of copper and Inconel 825 alloy after rolling with a forced change of deformation path, showing a high degree of banding in the material, was also presented. All results seem to confirm expectations that only the process of rolling with deformation path changes is close to the model of flow forming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study discusses the possibilities of the application of 3D scanning techniques to control the changes in the geometry of the forging tool surface layer on the basis of a measurement of the geometrical changes of the forgings periodically collected from the process. For the investigations, the process of producing a forging of a lid used as a crankshaft seal in motor trucks was selected. A detailed analysis was performed on the wear of the tool - a filler used in the second forging operation (in the upper tool set). The studies were divided into two stages. The first stage was an analysis of the tools' wear based on direct scanning of their surface, followed by the elaboration of the wear curve - material loss depending on the number of forgings. The second stage involved scanning of the selected surface of the periodically collected forgings and, based on it, an analysis of the proceeding material growth, which simultaneously constituted a material loss on the tools. Next, the characteristics of the geometry change of the forgings were determined and compared with the wear curve for the tools. The obtained analyses were in a good agreement, which suggests the possibility of using the indirect method of 3D reverse scanning (based on the forging surface measurements) for the analysis of the geometry changes of the forging tool surface layer, without the necessity to disassemble the tools from the forging aggregate. The innovative approach to the assessment of the current state of a forging tool proposed by the authors makes it possible to make decisions about a prolongation or shortening of its operation time based on the actual (present) wear, rather than on the basis of a predetermined, hardcoded durability (maximal number of produced forgings). The pros and cons of the elaborated method with the use of 3D scanning presented in the paper make it possible to prolong the operation time of forging instrumentation, thus measurably lowering the production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of research on a new process of extrusion of twist drills in split dies. The main purpose of the experiments was to determine the parameters that have a significant impact on the course of the investigated process. Technological parameters were determined using computer modeling. Numerical simulations based on the Finite Element Method were performed using DEFORM - 2D/3D software V11.0. The results were used to determine the influence of material temperature, friction conditions, extrusion rate and die geometry on the course and accuracy of extrusion of twist drills. Optimum friction conditions, temperature and extrusion rate were determined. It was found that the geometric accuracy of extruded drills depended on die shape and friction conditions. Artificial neural networks and the results of numerical simulations were used to define a mathematical model describing the dependence of drill helix angle on the geometric parameters of the die. Theoretical results were verified experimentally under laboratory conditions. The tests were carried out on a PYE-160 hydraulic press and on a specially constructed device for extrusion in two-segment dies. Two sets of tools were used in the experiments. During the tests, drills were extruded form 100Cr6 coldwork tool steel. Experimental results confirmed that the mathematical model developed could be successfully used in the design of tools for extruding twist drills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes ASR (cold asymmetric rolling) tests of S235 structural steel used for machine building. Steel S235 flat bars are used for production of deck grating and lightning rods. The research is a continuation and development of the existing work on the rolling process and its purpose is to determine a possibility of cold asymmetric rolling of structural steel, including examination of mechanical properties after rolling and determination of influence of asymmetric rolling on rolling process forces and duration. The tests were carried out using a laboratory DUO rolling mill and an integrated control system designed for strip rolling with different roll speeds. A strain gauge system was used for real time measurement of rolling forces. The asymmetric rolling process testing was carried out for roll speed ratios ranging from 1:1 to 3:1. No differences were found in mechanical properties between strips rolled using conventional methods, i.e. with equal rotational speeds of the rolls and strips obtained by asymmetric rolling. There were no significant changes in the structure of the test samples rolled asymmetrically compared to samples rolled at equal roll speeds. A significant decrease in the forces was found when asymmetric rolling was used, depending on the roll speed ratio. A 33% reduction in forces was achieved when rolling with a 3:1 ratio for equal roll speed rolling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cemented carbides constitute the main group of tool materials due to their good cutting and strength properties. To produce cemented carbides powder metallurgy methods are used, among which spark plasma sintering is considered to be highly prospective. The paper presents the results of research on the effect of compaction pressure and heating rate on the microstructure and consequently on the density, hardness and fracture toughness of WC-6Co cemented carbides produced by spark plasma sintering. Sintering using an HP D 25-3 furnace was performed in vacuum at 1200°C for 10 min at a compaction pressure of 50 or 60 MPa and at a heating rate of 200 or 400°C/min. Samples for measurements and testing were cut by electrical discharge machining from the sintered compacts. Density measurements were carried out using the Archimedes method according to ISO 3369:2006 standard, while Vickers hardness measurements were performed according to ISO 6507-1:2007 standard. The fracture toughness was determined. Microstructure observations in backscattered electrons contrast were conducted using a scanning electron microscope. It was shown that the relative density increases with increasing compaction pressure and heating rate, whereby the heating rate is less important. In addition, an increase in hardness affects a reduction in the fracture toughness. The compacts sintered at the compaction pressure of 50 MPa at the heating rate of 400°C/min exhibited the highest hardness of 1726 HV30. The fracture toughness of these materials is 8.66 MPa·m1/2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper was elaborated within a research project aiming at the development and implementation of a recycling technology for post-production steel sheet waste. In the research, processes of sheet cleaning were performed by vapour blasting treatment methods. Next, the sheets cleaned in this way underwent rolling. After the rolling process, a zinc coating was applied by means of the wetting balance method. The study presents the effect of the draft during plastic treatment on the wetting on the surface of steel sheets by liquid zinc. The tests were conducted on sheets treated with an A1203 abrasive material, which then underwent rolling with different drafts (20, 40, 60 and 80%). The samples prepared in this way were examined on a specially designed test station for the wetting dynamics by the meniscographic method, which enables complex examinations of the dynamic properties of the surface - surface tension and wettability. The performed investigations demonstrated that the best wettability is obtained for the samples with the 20% draft, for which the contact angle equals about 60°. The higher the draft, the worse the wettability of the sheets by liquid steel zinc. One can notice that the sample with the 40% draft was only one more to exhibit the wetting angle below 90° (it equaled about 80°). One can say that only these samples were wetted by the liquid zinc. For the remaining two, the recorded wetting angle values were much above 90°, which was assumed as the boundary of transfer from no wettability to wettability. To sum up, the obtained results demonstrate that the increase of the draft degree during the rolling process decreases the wettability of the treated surface by liquid zinc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explosive cladding/welding is a potential solid state technology to fabricate bimetal plates with unique mechanical and corrosion properties for industrial needs. In explosive welding process, the controlled energy of explosives is used to create a metallurgical bond between dissimilar materials. This paper presents the examination of explosive deformation and welding of the bimetal plates for determination of welding window. The welding conditions are tailored through parallel geometry route with different explosive loads. The study was conducted to consider the effects of explosive loading on the bonding interface and to characterise the explosive welds. Optical microscopy studies show that a transition from a smooth interface to a wavy one occurs with increase in explosive load. Scanning electron microscopy studies show that the interface was characterised by characteristic sharp transition between two materials. The real applications of explosive cladding of axle-box housings are developed. Axle-box bearings are made up of a railway housing and rolling bearing, and are safety-relevant components in rail vehicles. The axle-box bearing housings are produced from cast material and designed according to the customer's specifications. An increase of their longevity by reinforcing with steels is of great importance. The explosive cladding technologies of reinforcing axle-boxes of two types are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of tests of the properties of hollow thin-walled (wall thickness approx. 1.2 mm) shapes made of AW6082 alloy in T5 state. Shapes were extruded using the bonding extrusion method, by means of 6-hole porthole dies. Extrusion parameters were optimized by changing the rate of extrusion and cooling. Mechanical properties, hardness, wall thickness and surface coarseness of shapes subjected to extrusion at various rates (9, 10 and 12 m/min), cooled on the press coasting at different cooling rates (water spray, water wave), and artificially aged at a temperature of 180oC over 2 hours, were determined. Based on the tests, it was found that high mechanical properties and a uniform, finegrained structure were successfully achieved at the highest applied extrusion rate of 12 mm/min. Based on the shape thickness measurements, it was determined that, despite achievement of a product of satisfactory thickness tolerance, it is necessary to correct the die to obtain more uniform distribution. The change of the wall thickness of the oval shape results from the complexity of the die orifice and also from the die deflection during extrusion, which is difficult to predict at the designing stage. Extrusion rate also has an impact on the surface quality of the shape, which is expressed by the parameter of coarseness Ra, and this quality was lowest for extrusion at a rate of 9 m/min. As a result of an increase in extrusion rate from 10 to 12 mm/min, coarseness is reduced, improving surface quality. The change in cooling rate from air cooling to water spraying or by means of a so-called water wave caused an increase of strength to the level assumed and desired by the end recipient, i.e. Rm, > 310 MPa, but at the same time, did not have an impact on the significant reduction of relative elongation A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand among patients for endoprosthesis joints associated, among others, with an aging population, requires from modern medicine continuous progress and improvement of materials used in implantology. The paper presents the preliminary results of friction-wear tests of materials chosen from among those commonly used in knee endoprostheses. The tests were conducted using a T-17 tester working in a block-on-disk tribosystem designated to determine the tribological characteristics of material combinations articulating in a reciprocating motion with particular reference to the materials used for elements of human joint prostheses, e.g. polymers. The tribological characteristics were determined and the linear wear was identified for pins made of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and UHMWPE modified with vitamin E. The counter specimen materials (discs) consisted of a CoCrMo alloy. The study was conducted throughout a million cycles in an environment of bovine serum at a temperature of 37°C±2°C. The frequency of movement was 1 Hz±0.1 Hz. In order to determine the wear mechanism, the friction surfaces of the tested materials were subjected to observation using scanning electron microscopy after testing. Analysis of the tribological test results enabled the authors to indicate from among the tested samples the most advantageous material combination, which was the vitamin E modified UHMWPE- CoCrMo alloy friction pair. For the above friction pair a slightly higher friction coefficient was recorded, but also at the same time reduced linear wear. In contrast, based on the surface morphology observations, the main wear mechanism was defined which was abrasive-adhesive wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents results of microstructural and fractographic research of three types of padded layers deposited by wires F-818, F-812 and UTOP38 on the base of steel 42CrMo4 (40HM). Microstructural studies revealed a varied phase composition of these layers. The layers done by wire UTOP38 characterized as two phase microstructure consisting of martensitic-bainitic ferrite and the precipitates at the boundaries of the prior austenite grains. The ferrite amount nearby the surface was approx. 5%, and increased to approx. 20% at mid-thickness layer, and fell to zero near the boundary of the steel base. Padded layers of F-812 had also martensitic-bainitic microstructure with ferrite precipitates. In this case the maximum amount of ferrite (approx. 12%) occurred at the surface and fell to zero at the boundary of steel base matrix. In padded layers of F-818 homogeneous martensitic microstructure was observed. During the fractographic study carried out within the padded layer and steel base of ductile and quasi-cleavage (UTOP38 layer and F-812) and intergranular (F818) were found. In all cases a good cohesion in the padded layer-steel base boundaries were recognized. The microstructural and fractographic studies allowed to formulate guidelines for the use of wires of F-818, F-812 and UTOP38 for padding the cavities of hot forging dies or their fragments. Padded layers of higher strength (wires of UTOP38 and F812) are useful if the dominant mechanism is the thermo-mechanical fatigue wear. The padded layer of F-818 should be used when the cavities of forging dies are primarily subject to wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensity of tool wear in hot forging processes mainly depends on the conditions of the process and on the material from which a tool is made. The large number and variety of factors having an impact on die lifetime and their mutual interaction makes this a problem that is very difficult to analyze. This paper describes phenomena occurring on the surface of dies for hot open die upset forging. As an effect of long-term tool work, regardless of the number of produced forgings, the most intensive wear takes place at the point of longest contact with the forged material. Analysis of dimensions was conducted by scanning of tools' working surfaces. Next, a slice was collected for testing from each die. Characteristic areas were selected on the development of the tool's profile along its radius. Hardness measurement was performed in these areas, and the microstructure in the surface layer and changes in the surface were examined under a scanning electron microscope. Plastic deformation and thermomechanical fatigue are dangerous tool wear mechanisms during hot forging, which lead to the formation of small cracks. The further development of these cracks, conditioned by process parameters, interaction between the die and forging, and material flow rate, most often leads to the formation of a secondary network of cracks on the entire contact surface. In light of this study, the generally accepted view that the dominant mechanism of die destruction in hot forging processes is abrasive wear is called into question. It is shown that mechanisms such as: thermomechanical cracking, abrasive wear, and plastic deformations occur simultaneously from the very beginning of the process and may be (under specific conditions) of greater or lesser intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]