The purpose of this work is electron microscope investigation of the Ti/TiCN/TiAlN and Cr/CrN/CrN coatings deposited by PVD process. The investigations were performed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy for the microstructure determination. By mind of the transmission electron microscopy the high resolution and phase determination was possible to obtain. The morphology was studied as well the lattice parameters for the layer matrix and substrate phase identification using diffraction methods was applied. After the coating of the aluminium alloys AlSi9Cu and AlSi9Cu4 with the selected coatings there are crystallites detected with the size of several tenth of diameter. The investigated samples were examined metallographically using electron microscope with different image techniques, also EDS microanalysis and electron diffraction was made. As an implication for the practice a new layer sequence can be possible to develop, based on PVD technique. Some other investigation should be performed in the future, but the knowledge found in this research shows an interesting investigation direction. The originality and value of this combination of TEM investigation for PVD deposited surface lasers on aluminium alloys makes the investigation very attractive for automotive and other industry branches. Some practical implications and employment of the surface treatment technology for elements, made from tool materials, with the PVD and CVD methods, to obtain the high wear resistant coatings, makes it possible to improve the properties of these materials by – among others – decreasing for example their friction coefficient, microhardness increase, improvement of the tribological contact conditions in practical use. One original value is it also to applied the PVD method on a common material like aluminium alloy. The double layer coatings worked out In the PVD process on the Al0Si-Cu alloys substrate hale the following configuration of the layers: bottom layer/gradient layer/wear resistant hard surface layer.

For determining of the micro-structural changes taking place in a near eutectic Al-Si-Cu aluminium cast alloy during heating and cooling process the UMSA device (Universal Metallurgical Simulator and Analyzer) was used. In this work the dependence between the regulated cooling speed and structure on the basis of the thermo-analysis was carried out. The thermal analysis was performed at a cooling rate in a range of 0,2 °C to 1,25 °C. The changes were examined and evaluated qualitatively by optical and electron scanning microscopy methods and the EDS microanalysis. During the investigation the formation of aluminium reach (α-Al) dendrites was revealed and also the occurrence of the α+β eutectic, the ternary eutectic α+Al2Cu+β, as well a iron and manganese containing phase was confirmed. The performed investigation are discussed for the reason of an possible improvement of thermal and structural properties of the alloy. The achieved results can be used for liquid metal processing in science and industry – for example foundry for developing and obtaining of a required alloy microstructure and properties influenced by a proper production conditions.

Light alloys like aluminum and its alloys have excellent physical and mechanical properties for a number of applications. The use of aluminum alloys can significantly decrease the mass of automobiles without decreasing structural strength. Therefore, the reason of this work was to determine the optimal cooling rate values, to achieve good mechanical properties for protection of this aluminum cast alloy from losing their work stability, and to make it more resistant to action in hard working conditions. The carried out investigations have allow to found that changes in the cooling rate do not cause changes in the phase composition, revealing the Al₂Cu and Al₅FeSi phase especially, but only changes the morphology of α + β eutectic as well as the particle size and secondary dendrite arm spacing. As a result, the number of fine crystals in per unit volume increases, leading to a fine grain structure, which influences the recalescence temperature. The purpose of this research work is to investigate the thermo-derivative interdependencies occurred in analyzed aluminum cast alloys using Universal Metallurgical Simulator and Analyzer. For the investigation, the cast AlSi9Cu aluminum alloy was used. As a result of this research, the cooling rate influence on the structure and mechanical properties changes was investigated. The cooling rate was set in a variable range of 0.16–1.25 °C s⁻¹, where the cooling rate of 0.16 °C s⁻¹ corresponds to freely cooling, without any forced air flow.