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This study characterizes the bronze jewellery recovered from the Lusatian culture urn-field in Mała Kępa (Chełmno land, Poland). Among many common ornaments (e.g. necklaces, rings, pins) the ones giving evidence of a steppe-styled inspiration (nail earrings) were also identified. With the dendritic microstructures revealed, the nail earrings prove the implementing of a lost-wax casting method, whereas some of the castings were further subjected to metalworking. The elemental composition indicates the application of two main types of bronze alloys: Cu-Sn and Cu-Sn-Pb. It has been established that the Lusatian metalworkers were familiar with re-melting the scrap bronze and made themselves capable of roasting the sulphide-rich ores.

This preliminary study characterizes the bronze metalworking on a defensive settlement of the Lusatian culture in former Kamieniec (Chełmno land, Poland) as it is reflected through casting workshop recovered during recent excavations. Among ready products, the ones giving evidence of local metallurgy (e.g. casting moulds and main runners) were also identified. With the shrinkage cavities and dendritic microstructures revealed, the artifacts prove the implementing a casting method by the Lusatian culture metalworkers. The elemental composition indicates application of two main types of bronzes: Cu-Sn and Cu-Pb. Aside these main alloying additions, some natural impurities such as silver, arsenic, antimony and nickel were found which may be attributed to the origin of the ore and casting technology.

Magnesium alloys have recently attracted much attention as a new generation of biodegradable metallic materials. In this work, Mg1Mn1Zn0.3Zr-bioceramic nanocomposites and their scaffolds were synthesized using a combination of mechanical alloying and a space-holder sintering process. The phase and microstructure analysis was carried out using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and the properties were measured using hardness and corrosion testing equipment. Nanostructured Mg-bioceramic composites with a grain sizes below 73 nm were synthesized. The Vickers hardnesses for the bulk nanostructured Mg-based composites are two times greater than that of pure microcrystalline Mg metal (50 HV0.3). Produced Mg-based bionanomaterials can be applied in medicine.

Interdiffusion between Fe (Armco) and Cu single crystals of similar orientation (around [110]) annealed at temperatures of 873 and 973K in air for 0.5 up to 4 h is studied. Formation of three phases different in their chemical composition has been observed: 1) oxide layer on Cu border (porous), 2) a layer rich in copper, iron and oxygen, 3) a layer of iron and oxygen with only small addition of Cu. All reactions of interface formation occurred in solid state. It was noted that oxygen plays an important role in development of new phases. Strong Kirkendall effect is observed due to large difference in diffusion coefficients of copper atoms to iron, DCu→Fe=300exp(-67800/RT) and iron atoms to copper DCu→Fe=0.091exp(-46140/RT).

The analysis of the connection steel/Al/steel made by resistance welding was performed. The used low-carbon steel had low content of carbon and other elements, aluminum was of 99.997 wt.% Al purity. Formation of various FeAl intermetallic phases found in the phase diagram depending on the duration of the process was analyzed. Two distinctively different types of structure depending on time of welding were observed: 1) hypoeutectic structure for samples processed for 5 s, and 2) eutectic structure for samples processed for 10 s and more. The shear test showed increase of mechanical properties of the connection for the samples welded 10 s.

The study presents investigations of an influence of various direct current densities on microstructure, residual stresses, texture, microhardness and corrosion resistance of the nickel coatings electrodeposited from modified Watt’s baths. The properties of obtained coatings were compared to the nano-crystalline composite Ni/Al2O3 coatings prepared under the same plating conditions. The similarities and differences of the obtained coatings microstructures visible on both their surfaces and cross sections and determined properties were presented. The differences in the growth character of the Ni matrix and in the microstructural properties were observed. All electrodeposited Ni and Ni/Al2O3 coatings were compact and well adhering to the steel substrates. The thickness and the microhardness of the Ni and Ni/Al2O3 deposits increased significantly with the current density in the range 2 - 6 A/dm2. Residual stresses are tensile and they reduced as the current density increased. The composite coatings revealed better protection from the corrosion of steel substrate than pure nickel in solution 1 M NaCl.

The effect of process parameters of conversion coatings on the corrosion resistance was investigated. To produce anodic coatings, the solutions of H2SO4 of 0.5 and 1 M concentrations and current densities of 0.5 and 1 A/dm2 were applied. The coatings were deposited by galvanostatic technique on titanium Grade 1. The result of the study was comparison of the corrosion resistance of coatings produced under varying parameters such as: the anodic current density, the electrolyte concentration, and the speed of reaching the preset voltage. Corrosion tests performed by potentiodynamic polarization test have shown that even nanometric anodic films of amorphous structure improve the corrosion resistance of titanium alloy. The lowest corrosion current and the corrosion potential of the most cathodic nature were observed in the sample with anodic coating produced at J = 1 A/dm2 in a 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte concentration.

The paper presents a study on corrosion behaviour and tribological properties of nickel composite coatings deposited by electrochemical method on aluminium alloy from 2xxx series (AlCu4MgSi). The nickel composite coatings were produced in a Watts bath of the following chemical composition: NiSO4·7H2O 150 g/l, NiCl2·6H2O 30 g/l, H3BO3 30 g/l with the addition of saccharin in an amount of 2 g/l. As hard ceramic dispersed particles embedded in the coating, alumina (Al2O3) was used in an amount of 12,5; 25; 50 and 75 g/l. Coatings were produced using cathodic current density of 6 A/dm2, bath temperature of 60°C, pH 4, and the time 60 minutes. The electroplating bath was stirred with a mechanical stirrer (350 rpm).

The aim of the study was to describe the structure of composites based on the AlSi7Mg2Sr0.03 alloy matrix reinforced with SiC particles added in an amount of 10% and with a mixture of SiC and GR particles added in a total amount of 20%. Studies of the composite structure, were carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the results of chemical analysis in microregions, an increased content of elements such as Mg, O and Si and of the precipitates was observed at the interface. In many places in the examined sample, GR particles formed partly disintegrated conglomerates with well developed boundaries. The effect of the content of particles of the reinforcing phase on the functional properties of the composite was investigated during studies of abrasion. The lowest mass loss of 5,33mg was obtained for the AlSi7Mg2Sr0.03 alloy reinforced with 10% SiC particles.

In this study, Ni, Ni-SiC and Ni-Al2O3 coatings were electroplated on the 2xxx series aluminium alloy. The following parameters of the electroplating process were applied: current density - 4A/dm2, time - 60 minutes, and temperature - 60°C. Hard particles of submicrometric size were used. The results of the research showing the effect of the addition of hard particles (introduced into the nickel bath as a dispersed phase) on the properties of coatings, including the effect of the type (SiC or Al2O3) and content (0, 25, 50 g / l) of these particles, were discussed. Based on extensive investigations, it was found that the type of ceramic particles significantly affects the structure of produced coatings. The dispersed particles incorporated into the nickel coatings improve their abrasion resistance. Improving of the corrosion properties were observed only in the case of coatings containing silicon carbide particles.

The resultes of anodic oxide conversion coatings on wrought AZ61 magnesium alloy production are describe. The studies were conducted in a solution containing: KOH (80 g/l) and KF (300 g/l) using anodic current densities of 3, 5 and 10 A/dm2 and different process durations. The obtained coatings were examined under a microscope and corrosion tests were performed by electrochemical method. Based on these results, it was found that the low-voltage process produces coatings conferring improved corrosion resistance to the tested magnesium alloy.

Studies of composite nickel coatings electrolytically deposited on aluminium alloys with different content of vanadium were described. Composite coatings were deposited from a Watts bath containing fine-dispersed SiC powder particles in an amount of 20 g/l and organic matters such as saccharin and sodium laurate. The morphology, structure and thickness of the obtained composite coatings were presented. The corrosion resistance of produced coatings was examined by electrochemical method. Basing on the results of studies it was found that coatings obtained with the sole addition of saccharin were characterized by numerous surface defects. The addition of sodium laurate eliminated the occurrence of defects caused by hydrogen evolution and the resulting coatings were continuous with good adhesion to the substrate. The distribution of the ceramic SiC phase in coatings was fairly uniform for all the examined variants of aluminium alloys. SEM examinations did not reveal the phenomenon of the ceramic particles agglomeration.

The mechanical properties and numerical model of ceramic alumina open-cell foam, which is produced by the chemical method of gelcasting with different cell sizes (porosities) are presented. Geometric characteristics of real foam samples were estimated from tomographic and scanning electron microscopy images. Using this information, numerical foam model was proposed. A good agreement between the numerical model and the results elaborated from microtomography was obtained. To simulate the deformation processes the finite element program ABAQUS was used. The main goal of this computation was to obtain macroscopic force as a function of applied vertical displacement in compression test.

Currently there is a constant development in the field of aluminium alloys engineering. This results from, i.a., better understanding of the mechanisms that direct strengthening of these alloys and the role of microalloying. Now it is microalloying in aluminum alloys that is receiving a lot of attention. It affects substantially the macro- and microstructure and kinetics of phase transformation influencing the properties during production and its exploitation. 7xxx series aluminum alloys, based on the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu system, are high-strength alloys, moreover, the presence of Zr and Sr further increases their strength and improves resistance to cracking.

Processes of severe plastic deformation (SPD) are defined as a group of metalworking techniques in which a very large plastic strain is imposed on a bulk material in order to make an ultra-fine grained metal. The present study attempts to apply Equal-Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP), Hydrostatic Extrusion (HE) and combination of ECAP and HE to 99.5% pure aluminium. ECAP process was realized at room temperature for 16 passes through route Bc using a die having an angle of 90°. Hydrostatic extrusion process was performed with cumulative strain of 2.68 to attain finally wire diameter of d = 3 mm. The microstructure of the samples was investigated by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the microhardness was measured and statistical analysis of the grains and subgrains was performed. Based on Kikuchi diffraction patterns misorientation was determined. The measured grain/subgrain size show, that regardless the mode of deformation process (ECAP, HE or combination of ECAP and HE processes), grain size is maintained at a similar level – equal to d = 0.55-0.59 μm. A combination of ECAP and HE has achieved better properties than either single process and show to be a promising procedure for manufacturing bulk UFG aluminium.

W pracy przedstawiono metode okreslania własnosci mechanicznych np. modułu Younga porowatych pianek ceramicznych o otwartych komórkach. Wykorzystujac obrazy z tomografii komputerowej rzeczywistej struktury pianki otrzymano siatke elementów skonczonych. Przestrzenny obraz geometrii pianki wykorzystano do symulacji numerycznej procesu deformacji w próbie sciskania. Opracowano własna procedure numeryczna do generowania elementów skonczonych o róznej wielkosci i kontroli gestosci siatki elementów. Przeprowadzono szereg symulacji numerycznych procesu sciskania pianek z wykorzystaniem programu elementów skonczonych ABAQUS. Ustalono wpływ rodzaju i wielkosci elementów skonczonych jak równiez wielkosci samej próbki na wartosc modułu Younga wyliczonego dla próby jednoosiowego sciskania. Otrzymane numerycznie wartosci modułów Younga porównano z wartosciami z doswiadczen opublikowanych w pracy Ortegi [11]. Otrzymane rezultaty z symulacji numerycznych sa w dobrej zgodnosci z doswiadczeniem. Ustalono, ze wartosci modułu Younga dla porowatych pianek ceramicznych zalezy od gestosci siatki elementów skonczonych i nie moze byc pomijana.