The main sources of non-exhaust vehicular emissions that contribute to road dust are tire, brake and clutch wear, road surface wear, and other vehicle and road component degradation. This study is an attempt to identify and investigate heavy metals in urban and motorway road dusts as well as in dust from brake linings and tires. Road dust was collected from sections of the A-4 motorway in Poland, which is part of European route E40, and from urban roads in Katowice, Poland. Dust from a relatively unpolluted mountain road was collected and examined as a control sample. Selected metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe, Se, Sr, Ba, Ti, and Pd were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-optical emission spectroscopy, and atomic absorption spectroscopy on a range of size-fractionated road dust and brake lining dust (250 μm). The compositions of brake lining and tire dust were also investigated using scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectroscopy. To estimate the degree of potential environmental risk of non-exhaust emissions, comparison with the geochemical background and the calculations of geo-accumulation indices were performed. The finest fractions of urban and motorway dusts were significantly contaminated with all of the investigated metals, especially with Ti, Cu, and Cr, which are well-recognized key tracers of non-exhaust brake wear. Urban dust was, however, more contaminated than motorway dust. It was therefore concluded that brake lining and tire wear strongly contributed to the contamination of road dust.

Significant Alloy Elements in Welded Steel Structures of Car Body: Structure, safety and exploitation conditions of welding steel in car body depend on many factors. The main role of that conditions is connected with car body material, welding technology, state of stress and temperature. Because of that, a good selection of steel and welding method is very important for proper steel structure. Low alloy steel is used for car body structure, very often with small amount of carbon and the amount of alloy elements such as Ni, Mn, Mo, Cr and V in car body and welded joints. Depending on the kind of steel which is used, a proper welding method and adequate filler materials should be applied. The present paper describes the influence of Mn, Ni, Mo, Cr, V in WMD (Weld Metal Deposit) on the behaviour of steel structure especially for low temperature service.

Emergence of new designs for internal combustion engines resulted in a necessity to search for new materials which will rise to excessive technological requirements under operating conditions of modern internal combustion engines of up to 150 kW. Focusing only on material properties, theoretically existing alloys should meet presents requirements. More importantly, existing materials are well fitted to the entire crank-piston system. Thus, there is a need for a more thorough examination of these materials. The paper presents studies on determination of coefficient of friction μ and wear for the A390.0 alloy modified with AlTi5B master alloy combined with EN GJL-350 cast iron. The characteristics of a T-11 tribological tester (pin on disc) used for the tests, as well as the methodology of the tribological tests, were described. Also, the analysis of the surface distribution of elements for the pin and the disc was presented. The studies were realized in order to find whether the analyzed alloy meets the excessive requirements for the materials intended for pistons of modern internal combustion engines. The results show that the A390.0 alloy can only be applied to a load of 1.4 MPa. Above this value was observed destructive wear, which results in the inability to use it in modern internal combustion engines.

The paper characterizes a composite with dispersion phases cast via the use of stir casting method on an aluminum matrix. A mixture of aluminum with Fe_xAl_y and SiC powders was achieved in the process of mechanical alloying and self-propagating high temperature synthesis (ASHS). Chemical composition of agglomerates was chosen in such a way that the strengthening components made up 25% of the mass of the AlSi10Mg0.5Mn0.6 (EN AC-43400) alloy matrix. The characteristic temperatures of crystallization of the tested alloy were measured by thermal analysis ATD (analysis thermal derivative). A change of chemical and phase composition was confirmed in the elements of the intermetallic phase FeAl in the aluminum matrix. A silumin casting structure was achieved, with the matrix including micro-areas of ceramic phases and intermetallic phases, which are characteristic for hybrid strengthening. A refinement of dendrites in solid solution α was found, together with a transition from a binary plate eutectic composition α(Al) + β(Si) into modified eutectic composition.

The purpose of this paper is to present issues related to the concept of fire and the impact of fire protection systems on the safety of flight operations. Particular attention was paid to the problem of using halons on board aircraft. Attention has also been paid to the difficulties of replacing halons while maintaining appropriate safety standards during flight. This article, based on data from literature and consultations with experts, presents the principle of operation and construction of the most popular fire suppression systems. The problem of using halons in aircraft fire protection systems, considering current regulations and legislation, was analyzed. The present study provides insight into the current situation regarding the issue of firefighting. The authors have also pointed out the need to consider firefighting in the context of new materials used in aviation passenger luggage, including sportswear made of new materials with a low flash point.