Sonia Boczkal

This study investigated the influence of supergravity on the segregation of components in the Zn–Bi monotectic system and consequently, the creation of an interface of the separation zone of both phases. The observation showed that near the separation boundary, in a very narrow area of the order of several hundred microns, all types of structures characteristic for the concentration range from 0 to 100% bismuth occurred. An additional effect of crystallization in high gravity is a high degree of structural order and an almost perfectly flat separation boundary. This is the case for both the zinc-rich zone and the bismuth-rich zone. Texture analysis revealed the existence of two privileged orientations in the zinc zone. Gravitational segregation also resulted in a strong rearrangement of the heavier bismuth to the outer end of the sample, leaving only very fine precipitates in the zinc region. For comparison, the results obtained for the crystallization under normal gravity are given. The effect of high orderliness of the structure was then absent. Despite segregation, a significant part of bismuth remained in the form of precipitates in the zinc matrix, and the separation border was shaped like a lens. The described method can be used for the production of massive bimaterials with a directed orientation of both components and a flat interface between them, such as thermo-generator elements or bimetallic electric cell parts, where the parameters (thickness) of the junction can be precisely defined at the manufacturing stage.

The present manuscript aims to determine the effect of various deformation levels during low-temperature thermo-mechanical treatment (LTTT) on the microstructure and fatigue strength of Zr-microalloyed Al-Zn-Mg alloy. The fatigue strength of the alloy was studied in high-cycle bending-torsion tests. The determination of the influence of plastic deformation level during LTTT on the microstructure was based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations. The analysis of fracture after the fatigue tests was performed based on fractographic images using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the major factor affecting the microstructure of the alloy, and determining the nature of fatigue fracture, is the strain level applied during LTTT.

The paper presents results of the investigations on the effect of low-temperature thermomechanical treatment (LTTT) on the microstructure of AlZn6Mg0.8Zr alloy (7000 series) and its mechanical properties as well as electrochemical and stress corrosion resistance. For comparison of the LTTT effect, the alloy was subjected to conventional precipitation hardening. Comparative studies were conducted in the fields of metallographic examinations and static tensile tests. It was found that mechanical properties after the LTTT were better in comparison to after conventional heat treatment (CHT). The tested alloy after low-temperature thermomechanical treatment with increasing plastic deformation shows decreased electrochemical corrosion resistance during potentiodynamic tests. The alloy after low-temperature thermomechanical treatment with deformation degree in the range of 10 to 30% is characterized by a high resistance to stress corrosion specified by the level of P_SCC indices.

The aim of the study was to describe the structure of composites based on the AlSi7Mg2Sr0.03 alloy matrix reinforced with SiC particles added in an amount of 10% and with a mixture of SiC and GR particles added in a total amount of 20%. Studies of the composite structure, were carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the results of chemical analysis in microregions, an increased content of elements such as Mg, O and Si and of the precipitates was observed at the interface. In many places in the examined sample, GR particles formed partly disintegrated conglomerates with well developed boundaries. The effect of the content of particles of the reinforcing phase on the functional properties of the composite was investigated during studies of abrasion. The lowest mass loss of 5,33mg was obtained for the AlSi7Mg2Sr0.03 alloy reinforced with 10% SiC particles