This paper analyses the influence of the applied microwave power output on the intensification of drying in the context of process kinetics and product quality. The study involved testing samples of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.). Wood samples were dried in the microwave chamber at: 168 W, 210 W, 273 W, 336 W and 378 W power output level. For comparison, wood was dried convectively at 40 ◦C and 87% air relative humidity. The analysis of drying process kinetics involved nonlinear regression employing the Gompertz model. Dried samples were subjected to static bending tests in order to specify the influence of the applied microwave power on modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rapture (MOR). The obtained correlations of results were verified statistically. Analysis of drying kinetics, strength test results and Tukey’s test showed that the applied microwaves of a relatively low level significantly shortened the drying time, but did not cause a reduction in the final quality of dried wood, compared with conventional drying.

The aim of the study was to select the optimal content of zirconium introduced as an alloying additive to obtain the best strength properties of Al-Si alloy. A technically important disadvantage is the tendency of silumins to form a coarse-grained structure that adversely affects the mechanical properties of castings. To improve the structure, modification processes and alloying additives are used, both of which can effectively refine the structure and thus increase the mechanical properties. According to the Hall-Petch relationship, the finer is the structure, the higher are the mechanical properties of the alloy. The proposed addition of zirconium as an alloying element has a beneficial effect on the structure and properties of silumins, inhibiting the grain growth. The starting material was an aluminium-silicon casting alloy designated as EN AC-AlSi9Mg (AK9). Zirconium (Zr) was added to the alloy in an amount of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5% by weight. From the modified alloy, after verification of the chemical composition, samples were cast into sand moulds based on a phenolic resin.
The first step in the research was testing the casting properties of alloys with the addition of Zr (castability, density, porosity). In the next step, the effect of zirconium addition on the structure and mechanical properties of castings was determined.

Increasing demands are imposed on foundries to enforce the manufacture of castings characterized by tight dimensional tolerances, high surface finish and total absence of casting defects. To face these challenges, castings are increasingly made in loose self-hardening sands with furfuryl resin, commonly known as furan sands. In the group of self-hardening sands with synthetic resins, loose self-hardening sands with furfuryl resin enjoy the greatest popularity. The sand mixtures based on furan resins are usually subjected to mechanical reclamation. The consumption of binder and hardener and thus the cost of the sand depend on the quality of reclaim, and mainly on the dust removal degree.

The planned tightening of the environmental protection regulations in the EU countries, including limiting the content of free furfuryl alcohol in resins and reducing the emission of furfuryl alcohol, formaldehyde and BTEX compounds at workplaces, necessitated the development of a new generation of eco-friendly furfuryl resins that have recently appeared on the market.

The main aim of this article was to determine the effect of reclaim content on the sand parameters, such as bending strength, tensile strength, bench life, gas-forming tendency and loss on ignition. Tests were carried out with reclaim content in the sand mixture varying from 50 to 90%. The reclaim obtained by dry mechanical reclamation was supplied by one of the domestic foundries.

The results showed that the highest mechanical properties were obtained in sands containing 60% of the reclaim.