The objective of the research was to determine the influence of boron on the crystallization process and microstructure of ductile cast iron.

In the case of ductile cast iron it is a vital issue because even as little as trace presence of boron changes the properties of ductile cast iron

in a significant way. With the use of a new ATD-4 (TDA) tester and CRYSTALDIGRPAH converter it was possible to measure the

crystallization process parameters of the same alloy with four different contents of boron in one mould. Four samples with different boron

contents were extracted, their microhardness was measured and quantitative analysis of microstructure was conducted. Obtained results

allowed to state that with increasing content of boron the amount of graphite precipitates decreases, the amount of pearlite precipitates

increases, the shape of graphite precipitates deteriorates and hardness increases. It is also planned to perform additional testings with boron

contents between previously tested values.

Results of investigations of wear resistant of two species of cast steel were introduced in the article (low-alloyed and chromium cast steel) on the background of the standard material which was low alloy wear resistant steel about the trade name CREUSABRO ®8000. The investigations were executed with two methods: abrasive wears in the stream of loose particles (the stream of quartz sand) and abrasive wears particles fixed (abrasive paper with the silicon carbide). Comparing the results of investigations in the experiments was based about the counted wear index which characterizes the wears of the studied material in the relation to the standard material.

In the paper the results and analysis of corrosion tests were presented for low-alloyed cast steel in as-cast state and after heat treatment

operations. Such alloys are applied for heavy loaded parts manufacturing, especially for mining industry. The corrosion test were

performed in conditions of high salinity, similar to those occurring during the coal mining. The results have shown, that small changes in

chemical composition and the heat treatment influence significantly the corrosion behaviour of studied low-alloyed cast steels.

The aim of presented studies was to develop a new geometry of the overflow part of standard ATD–C tester for derivative thermal analysis

in a way that it would allow to obtain samples for abrasion and mechanical properties tests in the same mould without the need of cutting

them from a block of material. The pattern of new ATD–P tester has parts reflecting implemented samples. Computer simulations

regarding initial verification of new tester were performed in NovaFlow software. Chromium cast iron melts were made for testing the

sampler in real conditions and TDA analysis for casting material were conducted. The sandmix was prepared on silica sand matrix per the

ALPHASET technology. This new solution greatly simplifies the preparations of materials difficult to machine.

The paper presents selected granular ceramic materials available on the Polish market. Their characteristics have been determined in the aspect on application in the production of iron alloy-ceramic composite. The possibility of obtaining a composite layer by means of bulk grains in molds of plates were considered, which was the foundation for experimental molds to be used in service tests. On the basis of obtaining results was stated that the knowledge of the characteristics of bulk grains enables the calculation of their quantity necessary for the composite production. When using the bulk grains the thickness of the composite layer is restricted by the thermal relations (cooler) and the physical phenomena (buoyancy, metal static pressure). Increasing amount of grains above definite condition causes surface defects in the castings. Each casting, due to its weight, shape and place of composite layer production requires an individual approach, both at the stage of formation and that of calculation of the required quantity of ceramic grains.

The results of research on stereological parameters of carbides in modified hypoeutectic chromium cast iron were shown in the paper. The

effect of distance the casting heat centre of casting to the carbide phase morphology was examined. The samples for metallographic

examination were taken from various locations of the model casting prepared in a special tester. This model casting was designed to

simulate the solidification of heavy castings. Using the proposed methodology the relation of the distance from the model mould and the

size, perimeter, length, width and the shape factor of carbides was examined. During the analysis, the values of stereological parameters of

carbides changed on various sections of the model casting.

Paper presents the results of studies on primary crystallization and wear resistance of high chromium cast iron inoculated with

ferrotitanium intended for work in abrasive conditions. Primary crystallization was examined with use of TDA method, wear tests of the

samples were conducted using the modified pin-on-disk method.

This paper presents matters related to production of ceramic and cast iron composite. The composite was made with the use of a foam structured ceramic insert. The tests included measuring of hardness, impact strength and resistance to abrasive wear of the composite produced. On the basis of obtaining results was stated that the use of foamed ceramic filters provides good conditions of filling a ceramic framework with molten grey or chromium cast iron. The growth of hardness of the ceramic- grey cast iron composite is ca. 60% as compared to the grey cast iron hardness. The growth of hardness of the ceramic- chromium cast iron composite is slight and does not exceed 5 % in comparison to the chromium cast iron. Introduction of the ceramic inserts deteriorates the cast iron impact strength by ca. 20 - 30 %. The use of ceramic inserts increases the resistance to abrasive wear in case of grey cast iron by ca. 13% and in case of the chromium cast iron by ca. 10 %.

The paper concerns the processes connected with the formation of chromium white cast iron microstructure. The influence of titanium and strontium on the alloy crystallization has been described using TDA method and EDS analysis. Conducted experiments allowed the determination of the selected additions influence on the microstructure of examined alloys. TDA analysis enabled indication of the characteristic temperatures of thermal effects for samples with strontium and titanium and the comparison of results for the reference sample without additions. The results of TDA test also included the analysis of the temperature first derivative values, which presented interesting differences as well. The scanning microscopy observation clearly indicated the difference between the effect of strontium and titanium on the alloy microstructure. The EDS analysis helped to identify the chemical composition of the evolving phases and confirmed the strontium presence in the eutectic. Experimental results allowed to draw reliable conclusions about the effect of applied additions on the crystallization and microstructure of chromium cast iron.

In this paper crystallization studies of low-alloyed construction cast steel were presented for different additions of chromium, nickel and

molybdenum modified with vanadium and titanium. Studies were conducted using developed TDA stand, which additionally enabled

evaluation of cooling rate influence on crystallization process of investigated alloys.

The article shows results of studies of primary crystallization and wear resistance of Cr-Ni-Mo cast steel intended for work in corrosive

and abrasive conditions. The studies of primary crystallization were conducted with use of TDA method and modified tester allowing

measurement casting cooling time influence on the cooling and crystallization curves of studied alloys. After heat treatment of examined

cast steel wear tests of the samples were conducted on pin-on-disc type device.

The subject of this paper was to compare the influence of selected coatings on bending strength of moulds and cores manufactured in a furan technology. In a range of study, there were used three kinds of coatings - water based coating and two kind of alcohol based coating manufactured by FOSECO. Coating were applicated by brush, overpouring/flow and spraying. For each application method, there were realized different kind of drying- at ambient temperature, in a furnace and by burning. Physicochemical properties of coatings were such selected to accommodate them to the application method and type of coating. Based on the conducted studies it was observed that for water based coating application method doesn’t have an important influence on bending strength and it is necessary to optimize the time and temperature of drying to achieve better results of bending strength. For alcohol based coatings, drying by burning causes significant deterioration of bending strength of the mould and core and drying process at ambient allows to obtain high bending strength of mould/cores in regard to time of drying.

In the paper the results and analysis of abrasive wear studies were shown for two grades of cast steels: low-alloyed cast steel applied for

heavy machinery parts such as housing, covers etc. and chromium cast steels applied for kinetic nodes of pin-sleeve type. Studies were

performed using the modified in Department of Foundry pin-on-disc method.