This paper presents a comparison between four TRIP steels, which belong to two groups with different chemical compositions. The first group is that of steels with a relatively low contents of Mn (1.5–2%), high Al (1–2%) and about 0.2% C, and the second includes steels with lower percentages of C (0.1%) and Al (max. 0.6%), but with high percentages of Mn (over 5%). The steels were heat treated by incomplete austenitization, isothermally cooled in salt baths at 400 °C, followed by air cooling. The heat-treated samples were subjected to the impact bending test. A comparative study was performed from the point of view of the intensity of the TRIP effect, the development of the retained austenite-to-martensite transformation under shock (studied by SEM), X-ray analysis and hardness measurements. It was found that appropriate and similar behaviors in terms of mechanical shock were shown by two steels belonging to different groups, with similar amounts of the retained austenite being turned into martensite fractions. The steel with the highest Mn percentage was distinguished by having the highest hardness (362 HV) and the highest retained austenite (obtained after heat treatment) and martensite fractions (caused by the TRIP effect) (10.63% and 2.17%, respectively).

The scholarly literature records information related to the performance increase of the cutting tools covered by the superficial layers formed “in situ” when applying thermochemical processing. In this context, information is frequently reported on the carbamide role in processes aiming carbon and nitrogen surface saturation. Sulfur, together with these elements adsorbed and diffused in the cutting tools superficial layers, undoubtedly ensures an increase of their operating sustainability. The present paper discusses the process of sulfonitrocarburizing in pulverulent solid media of high-speed tools steel (AISI T1, HS18-0-1) and its consequences. The peculiarity of the considered process is that the source of nitrogen and carbon is mainly carbamide (CON₂H₄), which is found in solid powdery mixtures together with components that do not lead to cyan complex formation (non-toxic media), and the sulfur source is native sulfur. The kinetics of the sulfonitrocarburizing process, depending on the carbamide proportion in the powdered solid mixture and the processing temperature, was studied. The consequences of the achieved sulfonitrocarburized layers on the cutting tools’ performance are expressed by the maximum permissible cutting speed and the maximum cut length. An interesting aspect is highlighted, namely the possibility of using chemically active mixtures. Their components, by initiation of the metallothermic reduction reaction, become able to provide both elements of interest and the amount of heat needed for the ultrafast saturation of the targeted metal surfaces.

In the context of the industrial evolution towards Industry 5.0 concept, there is an increase in the industrial processes automation and digitization which can bring several benefits but also challenges for human health protection. Thus, it is important that governments and industrial companies take a series of measures to detect health problems that may be related to harmful substances exposure during industrial processes. The paper deals with a subject of industrial ecosociology represented by the interactions of three systems: natural-ecological (particulate matters pollution of the atmosphere), technological (polluting particulate matters in processing of metallic materials), social (health status under negative impact of polluting particulate matters). The negative influence of particulate matters on human health is investigated with regard to the particle characteristics, namely size, d_p [m], concentration, c_p [g/m³], granulometric fractions, f_g [%], elemental chemical composition and granulometric structure. The following aspects are approached: the importance of industrial ecosociology concerns for sustainable development of human existence; the need of engineers to know the industrial ecosociology targets; the ranking of metallurgy sectors (sintering plant, blast furnace, LD converter, electrical arc furnace – EAF, rolling mills) according to the impact of pollutants particulates that may affect human health induced diseases is assessed. JEL Classifications F64, I15, J81, O14, Q57