Cemented carbides WC-Co are one of the basic tool materials. They constitute over half of the currently used tools intended for machining. The main advantages of WC-Co cemented carbides are high hardness and abrasion resistance. The properties of WC-Co sinters depend mainly on the content of the binding phase, the sintering method and the grain size of the powder from which the sinters were made. The aim of this study was to produce fine-grained WC-Co composites using SPS (spark plasma sintering) technology, as well as examine the effect of the applied technology on the basic properties of WC-Co sinters: microstructure, hardness, phase composition, compaction degree and tribological properties. In the processes carried out, no additives affecting the reduction in grain growth were used. Sintering was conducted at a temperature of 1200 °C with a holding time of 10 min. The process occurred under a load of 100 MPa. Finally, the samples were cooled in a vacuum of 10⁻⁶ mbar. We measured the hardness using a Vickers hardness tester. We took hardness measurements along the diameter of the sintered samples. In order to ascertain the fracture toughness (KIC), we measured the radial crack length around the Vickers indentation and applied Shetty’s formula. The tribological tests were carried out with a tribotester using the T-01 ball-on-disc method. The obtained data enabled the characterization of the wear process of the tested materials.

In terms of mechanical, physical and chemical properties, titanium alloys are an important structural material for all branches of industry. One of the most important titanium alloys is the Ti6Al4V alloy. When performing operations associated with long-term heating of workpieces and parts made of titanium alloys in an air atmosphere, a layer of TiO 2 is formed on the surface of the product. Ti6Al4V alloy, also known as Ti64, is a two-phase α+β solid solution alloy in terms of microstructure, which has excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Through heat treatment, we can improve the mechanical properties of the alloy, improve the fracture toughness, influence and reduce the internal stress and influence the machinability of the material. Surface treatments of alloys by applying micro and nano layers of material are also important, which serve to extend the life of products made of this alloy or to improve the properties of the alloy. In the article, we analyze the effect of heat treatment at temperatures of 650 °C and 800 °C and corrosion load with salt fog in the range of 168 to 720 hours on the microstructure and microhardness of the Ti6Al4V alloy.

The aim of the submitted work is to study the relationship between the method of polishing the metallurgical surface and the indentation size effect (ISE). The material of the sample was annealed 99.5% aluminum. The polishing time ranged between 300 and 3600 s. An aqueous emulsion of aluminum oxide (spineline) and diamond paste were used as the polishing agents. The surface quality of the samples was measured with roughness meters. Applied loads in the micro-hardness test were 0.0981, 0.2452, 0.4904, and 0.9807 N. The effect of polishing on micro-hardness, Meyer’s index n, and ISE characteristics was evaluated using the PSR method and the Hays–Kendall approach. As the polishing time increases, the micro-hardness values decrease, and the value of Meyer’s index n increases from “normal” to neutral, i.e., Kick’s law applies. The finding was confirmed for both of the used polishing agents.

The article describes the course of a pressure test that was made to determine the maximum force in the case of breaking the integrity of the casting. Observation of the forks arm deformation can be done with using sensors on the universal ten...

Today's machining requirements cannot be met without the right tool materials. An ideal universal tool material should combine the highest abrasive wear resistance and hardness with high strength and good toughness, while being chemically inert to the workpiece material. Despite the intensive development of materials sciences the fundamental contradiction between hardness, which guarantees resistance to abrasive wear, and toughness, which determines impact and fatigue strength, has not been satisfactorily resolved on a global scale. This paper presents the results of tribological wear testing of commercial cutting inserts of S20S, U10S and CC6090 grades. Chemical composition, density, hardness and tribological wear were determined using the ball on disk method. The analysis of the laboratory tests showed that the S20S, U10S and CC6090 cutting inserts have high resistance to abrasive wear, the loss of total volumetric mass did not exceed 1%.