A 3D printer in FDM technology allows printing with two nozzles, which creates an opportunity to produce multi-material elements. Printing from two materials requires special consideration of the interface zone generated between their geometrical boundaries. This article aims to present the possibility of printing with PLA and TPU using commercially available filaments and software to obtain the best possible bond strength between two different polymers with respect to printing parameters, surface pattern (due to the material contact surface’s roughness), and the order of layer application. The interaction at the interface of two surfaces of two different filaments (PLA-TPU and TPU-PLA) and six combinations of patterns were tested by printing seven replicas for each. A total of 12 combinations were obtained. By analyzing pairs of samples (the same patterns, different order of materials), the results for the TPU/PLA samples were better or very close to the results for PLA/TPU. The best variants of pattern combinations were distinguished. Well-chosen printing parameters can prevent a drop in parts efficiency compared to component materials (depending on the materials combination).

Aluminum alloys such as AA2024 are popular in the automotive and aircraft industries. The application of artificial aging significantly improves their mechanical properties by precipitation hardening. However, commercial alloys very often contain different amounts of elements such as Si and Fe that make the evolution of the microstructure harder to control. Large intermetallic particles can influence the overall results of heat treatment and cause deterioration of material properties. The authors decided to examine changes in the microstructure of three commercial 2024 alloys with varying chemical compositions by applying three different types of aging treatments. The results show considerable differences in the amount, size and morphologies of the precipitates. Second-phase Al₂Cu and Al₂CuMg precipitates were identified in one of the alloys. Other interesting types of multiphase particles were discovered in alloys with higher Si contents. The results show that even small variations in the composition can lead to a completely different microstructure.

3D printing is a revolutionary additive manufacturing method that enables rapid prototyping and design flexibility. A variety of thermoplastic polymers can be used in printing. As it is necessary to reduce the consumption of petrochemical resources, alternative solutions are being researched, and the interest in using bioplastics and biocomposites is constantly growing. Often, however, the properties of biopolymers are insufficient and need to be improved to compete with petroleum-based plastics. The paper aims to analyze the available information on elements produced from more than one material, with additive manufacturing resulting from 3D printing using biopolymer Polylactic Acid (PLA). The study notes the possibility of modifying and improving the properties of PLA using layered printing or by modifying PLA filaments. Several modifications improving and changing the properties of PLA were also noted, including printing parameters when combined with other materials: process temperatures, filling, and surface development for various sample geometries.

The article presents results of research concerning computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of water oil emulsion in grinding zone during sharpening of hob cutter face surface. The numerical simulations made possible to determine the influence of different angular nozzle settings and nominal emulsion flow rate on the quantity of emulsion directly reaching the area of contact between the grinding wheel and the machined material. “SST k-ω” model, available in Ansys CFX program, was used in the numerical analysis; however, Kato and Launder’s modifications were used in the model. Experimental tests were carried out in order to verify results obtained on basis of the numerical simulations. The percentage rate of grinding wheel clogging was used as a verifying parameter. Analysis of the clogging made it possible to indirectly evaluate results of the numerical simulation. The clogging measurements were carried out using optical method by taking microscopic images of the grinding wheel active surface (GWAS), which were later analyzed using an image analysis program. As a result of the conducted numerical simulations, it was concluded that the greatest effectiveness of emulsion provision into the grinding zone was obtained when the nozzle was set at the smallest of the examined angles (30°) and greatest of the examined nominal flow rates (7 l/min). This conclusion was confirmed with results of experimental tests, where it was also observed that increasing the nominal flow rate over 5 l/min does not have significant influence on the amount of clogging on the grinding wheel active surface.

The mechanical properties and the thickness of the resin cement agents used for bonding inlay bridges can modify the clinical performance of the restoration such as debonding or prosthetic materials fracture. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution and the maximum strain generated by resin cements with different elastic moduli and thicknesses used to cement resin-bonded fixed partial denture (RBFPD). A three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) was used, and a 3D model was created based on a Cone-Beam Computed Tomography system (CBCT). The model was analyzed by the Ansys software. The model fixation occurred at the root of the abutment teeth and an axial load of 300 N was applied on the occlusal surface of the pontic. The highest stress value was observed for the Variolink 0.4 group (1.76 × 10⁶ Pa), while the lowest was noted for the Panavia 0.2 group (1.07 × 10⁶ Pa). Furthermore, the highest total deformation value was found for the Variolink 0.2 group (3.36 × 10⁻⁴ m), while the lowest was observed for the Panavia 0.4 group (2.33 × 10⁻⁴ m). By means of this FEA, 0.2 mm layer Panavia F2.0 seemed to exhibit a more favorable stress distribution when used for cementation of posterior zirconium-dioxide-based RBFPD. However, both studied materials possessed clinically acceptable properties.