This paper discusses the influence of Ti₃C₂ (MXene) addition on silicon nitride and its impact on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the latter. Composites were prepared through powder processing and sintered using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technic. Relative density, hardness and fracture toughness, were analyzed. The highest fracture toughness at 5.3 MPa·m^1/2 and the highest hardness at HV5 2217 were achieved for 0.7 and 2 wt.% Ti₃C₂, respectively. Moreover, the formation of the Si₂N₂O phase was observed as a result of both the MXene addition and the preservation of the α-Si₃N₄→β-Si₃N₄ phase transformation during the sintering process.

The article describes the Ti₃SiC₂ powder synthesis process. The influence of the molar ratio and two forms of carbon on the phase composition of the obtained powders was investigated. The synthesis was carried out using a spark plasma sintering (SPS) furnace. In addition, using the obtained powders, composites reinforced with SiC particles were produced. The obtained results showed no effect of the carbon form and a significant impact of annealing on the purity of the powders after synthesis. The composites were also consolidated using an SPS furnace at two temperatures of 1300 and 1400 °C. The tests showed low density and hardness for sinters from 1300 °C (maximum 3.97 g/cm³ and 447 HV5, respectively, for composite reinforced with 10% SiC). These parameters significantly increase for composites sintered at 1400 °C (maximum density 4.43 g/cm³ and hardness 1153 HV5, for Ti₃AlC₂—10% SiC). In addition, the crack propagation analysis showed mechanisms typical for granular materials and laminates.

The investment casting process is widely used in the aerospace industry to produce complex engine parts. The article determines the properties of quartz powders, nanosilica dioxide binders, and multilayer samples of ceramic casting molds. The properties of spherical molds obtained using an alcohol-water system derived from hydrolyzed ethyl silicate (ZKE) and LUDOX PX-30 (type Q1) were compared with those obtained in water systems derived from Remasol Plus and Remasol Premium binders (type Q2). The spherical samples are composed of seven layers made with the use of an immersion-sprinkling method. To assess the properties of the molds, X-ray microscopy (µCT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and gas permeability analysis over a temperature range of 20–950 °C were utilized. The binder type is proven to affect the properties of the casting mold samples. The material obtained in the water system, Q2, has advantageous properties such as a high porosity and gas permeability.

Additive manufacturing (AM) has seen remarkable development in recent years due to relatively high efficiency of the process. Cold spraying (CS) is a particular method of AM, in which titanium and titanium alloy powders are used. CS is a very competitive technology enabling the deposition of coatings, repairing machine parts, and manufacturing new components. For specific applications, the surface of cold-sprayed materials may require further processing. This paper reports an attempt to employ laser surface treatment (LST) of cold-sprayed coatings on an aluminium alloy substrate. The influence of laser beam interaction time on the coatings’ properties was analysed. The microstructure was investigated and observed employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To evaluate residual stress after CS and LST, the sin²ψ technique was used. Investigations were also performed on Vickers hardness, contact angle, and surface roughness. Significant changes in the surface morphology of the coatings and elevated residual stress levels dependent on the laser beam interaction time were observed. Increased Vickers hardness was recorded for titanium alloy Ti6Al4V. LST also led to increased surface hydrophilicity of the modified materials Ti and Ti6Al4V.

The influence of different types of cemented carbide blades and thickness of TiAlN/a-C:N and TiN/AlTiN protective coatings used in the wood industry on cutting performance has been studied. Three types of WC-Co cemented carbide blades with different cobalt content were used in the study. The thicknesses of both types of coatings were ~2 and ~5 µm. The structure, chemical and phase composition were studied using transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM, SEM), X-ray dispersion spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The adhesion was evaluated by scratch test. Nanohardness and durability tests of uncoated and coated blades were performed. We found that the blades covered with 5 µm TiN/AlTiN coatings exhibited the best durability characteristic. The cutting distances were within the range ~6700-~7080 depending on the substrates in comparison with pure substrates (~4300–~4900) and 2 µm TiN/AlTiN coatings (~5400–~6600). The presence of a thin and soft outer a-C:N layer aggravates the nanohardness and durability of the coated blades.

This article presents new findings related to the problem of the introduction of MXene phases into the silicon carbide matrix. The addition of MXene phases, as shown by the latest research, can significantly improve the mechanical properties of silicon carbide, including fracture toughness. Low fracture toughness is one of the main disadvantages that significantly limit its use. As a part of the experiment, two series of composites were produced with the addition of 2D-Ti₃C₂T_x MXene and 2D-Ti₃C₂T_x surface-modified MXene with the use of the sol-gel method with a mixture of Y₂O₃/Al₂O₃ oxides. The composites were obtained with the powder metallurgy technique and sintered with the Spark Plasma Sintering method at 1900 °C. The effect adding MXene phases had on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the produced sinters was investigated. Moreover, the influence of the performed surface modification on changes in the properties of the produced composites was determined. The analysis of the obtained results showed that during sintering, the MXene phases oxidize with the formation of carbon flakes playing the role of reinforcement. The influence of the Y₂O₃/Al₂O₃ layer on the structure of carbon flakes and the higher quality of the interface was also demonstrated. This was reflected in the higher mechanical properties of composites with the addition of modified Ti₃C₂T_x. Composites with 1 wt.% addition of Ti₃C₂T_x M are characterized with a fracture toughness of 5 MPa × m^0.5, which is over 50% higher than in the case of the reference sample and over 15% higher than for the composite with 2.5 wt.% addition of Ti₃C₂T_x, which showed the highest fracture toughness in this series.