The work deals with dilatometric studies of a new-developed advanced high-strength bainitic 3Mn–1.5Al steel. Ferritic, bainitic and martensitic phase transformations are investigated in detail in respect of their temperature range forming and microstructures produced under various conditions of both continuous and isothermal cooling. The equilibrium temperatures of A _e1 and A _e3 and phase composition of the investigated steel were initially calculated whereas critical temperatures of A _c1 and A _c3 as well as the decomposition of retained austenite were determined upon heating. The major tests consisted of controlled cooling of undeformed or plastically deformed austenite using the dilatometer within the cooling rate range of 2–0.5 °C s⁻¹. The effects of the cooling rate and deformation at temperatures of 900 and 1,050 °C on the phase transformation behaviour and microstructure were explained. The final experiment was carried out using a thermo-mechanical simulator under conditions of multi-step deformation and isothermal holding of the steel at 400 °C. Microstructural features were revealed using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques.

This work presents the results of a microstructural characterization of welds in Nb-microalloyed TRIP steel with silicon partially replaced by aluminum. Tests of laser welding of thermomechanically processed sheet samples were carried out using keyhole welding and a solid-state laser. Welding penetration tests were conducted for heat input values between 0.037 and 0.048 kJ/mm. Identification of different microstructural constituents was carried out using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy in the fusion zone (FZ), heat-affected zone (HAZ), and base metal. Special focus was put on the effect of cooling conditions on the stabilization of retained austenite in different zones. The intercritical, fine-grained, and coarse-grained regions of the HAZ were identified. It was determined that enriching austenite with carbon in the intercritical HAZ stabilizes this phase at a level close to the base metal, i.e., a 15% volume fraction. Despite a high cooling rate in the FZ and HAZ, interlath retained austenite is also present in these zones. The research involved microhardness measurements and characterizing non-metallic inclusions formed in the fusion zone. A good correlation between microstructures formed in different weld regions and microhardness results was obtained.

This study is concerned with issues related to laser welding of Si-Al type TRIP steels with Nb and Ti microadditions. The tests of laser welding of thermomechanically rolled sheet sections were carried out using keyhole welding and a solid-state laser. The tests carried out for various values of heat input were followed by macro- and microscopic metallographic investigations as well as by microhardness measurements of welded areas. A detailed microstructural analysis was carried out in the penetration area and in various areas of the heat affected zone (HAZ). Special attention was paid to the influence of cooling conditions on the stabilisation of retained austenite, the most characteristic structural component of TRIP steels. The tests made it possible to determine the maximum value of heat input preventing the excessive grain growth in HAZ and to identify the areas of the greatest hardness reaching 520 HV0.1.

In the case of copper and its alloys, Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) 3D printing technology is mainly used to produce elements for the maritime industry and research has focused on the use of Cu-Al alloys. There is little information devoted to the use of Cu-Ni alloys in this technology, which are also widely used in the maritime industry. In this work, tests were carried out on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion properties in a 1M NaCl solution of Cu-Ni 90/10 alloy 3D walls printed using the WAAM method. The obtained objects are characterized by a microstructure with elongated column grains and particles of the Ni-Ti phase, hardness in the range of 138–160 HV10, ultimate tensile strength of 495–520 MPa, yield strength of 342–358 MPa, elongation of 16.6–17.9%, and a low average corrosion rate of 7.4 × 10⁻⁵ mm/year. The work shows that it is possible to obtain higher mechanical properties of Cu-Ni 90/10 alloy 3D objects produced using the WAAM method compared to cast materials, which opens up the possibility of using this alloy to produce objects with more complex shapes and for use in corrosive working conditions.

The paper presents results of the investigations on the effect of the low-temperature thermomechanical treatment on the microstructure of AlZn6Mg0.8Zr alloy (7003 alloy) and the relationships between microstructure and fatigue properties and fractography of fractured samples. Fatigue life has been determined in a mechanical test at a simple state of loading under conditions of bending as well as torsion. The development of fatigue cracking has been described based on fractography investigations of the fractured samples making use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the factors determining the fatigue strength of the tested alloy are the microstructure as well as the type and size of the cyclic stresses. These factors determine the fractography of fatigue samples.

The article presents the influence of mechanical alloying and plastic consolidation on the resistance to arc erosion of the composite Ag–Re material against the selected contact materials. The following composites were selected for the tests: Ag90Re10, Ag95Re5, Ag99Re1 (bulk chemical composition). Ag–Re materials were made using two methods. In the first, the materials were obtained by mixing powders, pressing, sintering, extrusion, drawing, and die forging, whereas, in the second, the process of mechanical alloying was additionally used. The widely available Ag(SnO₂)10 and AgNi10 contact materials were used as reference materials. The reference AgNi10 material was made by powder metallurgy in the process of mixing, pressing, sintering, extrusion, drawing, and die forging, while the Ag(SnO₂)10 composite was obtained by spraying AgSniBi alloy with water, and then the powder was pressed, oxidized internally, sintered, extruded into wire, and drawn and die forged. The tests of electric arc resistance were carried out for loads with direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). For alternating current (I = 60 A, U = 230 V), 15,000 switching cycles were made, while, for constant current 50,000 (I = 10 A, U = 550 V). A positive effect of the mechanical alloying process and the addition of a small amount of rhenium (1% by mass) on the spark erosion properties of the Ag–Re contact material was found. When DC current of 10 A was used, AgRe1 composite was found to be more resistant than commonly used contact materials (AgNi10 and Ag(SnO₂)10).