The use of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) in 3D printing technology enables the use of this technology to produce prototype seals with an unusual shape or design solution. Tribological tests were carried out on a pin-on-disc test stand. The influence of contact pressure and sliding velocity on the friction coefficient of the TPE-steel friction pair under mixed lubrication conditions was analyzed. Based on the obtained tribological test results, it was found that the coefficient of friction of the thermoplastic TPE elastomer on steel in the presence of hydraulic oil (mixed lubrication) at a sliding velocity below 1 m/s does not exceed μ = 0.25. The obtained friction coefficient values are comparable to the results for other elastomeric materials used for technical seals. It was found that the influence of contact pressure on the value of the friction coefficient in the tested friction pairs is varied and depends, for example, on the sliding velocity. It was recommended to carry out research on the assessment of durability (wear intensity) and structure (porosity) of the material in elements manufactured using 3D printing to obtain full knowledge of the possibility of using these materials in the area of technical aircraft seals.

The study examined the influence of the mining environment on selected functional properties of two commercial greases thickened with lithium 12-hydroxystearate and overbased calcium sulfonate. The study conducted a comparative analysis of fresh greases and those that had been used in operation. The tests were performed in climatic conditions similar to those found in the mine. The greases were evaluated for their resistance to water washout at 38 °C, as well as their dropping point and anti-corrosion properties in the presence of brine (EMCOR method). Additionally, rheological tests were conducted to assess the behavior of the greases in the lubrication film of a real friction node. Moreover, tribological tests were carried out under varying loads on the lubricated friction node. A custom-designed test rig for measuring frictional resistance in oscillatory motion was used for these evaluations. The conclusions from the study on the impact of the mining environment on the functional properties of greases were supported by the results of their ATR-IR spectroscopic analysis. The research results showed that contaminants from the mine's atmosphere affect the functional properties and the structure of the thickeners of both greases. The greases subjected to use, compared to fresh greases, exhibited increased resistance to water washout. Most other parameters, including rheological and tribological properties, significantly deteriorated.

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Connector terminals, like all vehicle components, are subject to damage. They cause a break in the electricalcircuit and vehicle failure. The most common causes of failure are corrosion and mechanical damage resultingfrom vehicle vibration. Corrosion can occur when the vehicle is flooded, through carelessness in servicingand when driving on wet roadways. The source of vibration is most often stimuli from the road surface onwhich the vehicle is travelling. These vibrations cause the connector terminals to make small movements thatcan lead to fretting. The aim of the research presented in this paper was to evaluate the influence of corrosionfactors on friction and wear of protective coatings of connector lugs. The subjects of the study were two typesof mesh connectors, made of copper alloys coated with metallic coatings. The test specimens were subjectedto varying corrosion conditions, simulating the effects of wet pavement with road salt and pavement coveredwith dirt from vehicle operation.

This study focuses on the development and evaluation of the OrthoNail hybrid intramedullary implant for lower limb lengthening in patients requiring significant skeletal reconstruction. The implant addresses the challenges in load-bearing during rehabilitation, providing a robust solution that is capable of supporting physiological loads. Mechanical tests, including axial compression, tension, torsion, and 3,4-point bending, determined the implant’s load capacity and fatigue resistance, while finite element analysis assessed stress distributions in bone tissue and around screw holes during single-leg stance, with boundary conditions derived from Orthoload database data. The OrthoNail implant demonstrated excellent mechanical stability, sustaining torsional loads of up to 19.36 Nm at maximum elongation (80 mm) and 17.16 Nm at zero elongation. Under axial compression, it withstood forces of up to 1400 N, maintaining structural integrity. Fatigue testing revealed resilience under dynamic loading conditions for over 1,000,000 cycles at a load of 500 N, with no mechanical failure or material degradation observed. Stress concentrations near screw holes indicate areas for potential optimization. The findings indicate that the OrthoNail implant demonstrates excellent mechanical stability and is well-suited for clinical application, enabling early full weight-bearing during rehabilitation.