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This article presents the results of tests carried out on rapid quenched Fe-based alloys. The alloys were made using an injection-casting method. The actual structure of the alloys was also studied using an indirect method, based on H. Kronmüller's theorem. Based on analysis of the primary magnetization curves, in accordance with the aforementioned theory, it was found that Mo causes a change in internal regions associated with changes in the direction of the magnetization vector. The evolution of the thermal properties with increasing volume of Mo has been confirmed by the DSC curves. Addition of Mo, at the expense of the Nb component, results in changes to the crystallization process (i.e. the crystallization onset temperature and number of stages). The study showed that the addition of Mo at the expense of Nb reduces glass forming ability. Based on the DSC analysis, free volumes were determined for the alloys tested. These values were compared with the analysis of primary magnetization curves. It was found that the DSC curves can be used to indirectly describe the structure of amorphous alloys similar to the theory of the approach to ferromagnetic saturation. This approach is new and can be used by many researchers in this field.

Materials with so-called soft magnetic properties are an important object of material engineering research due to their potential application, among others, in the construction of low-loss transformer cores. Such properties are typical for alloys with an amorphous structure and with a high content of ferromagnetic elements: Fe, Co, Ni. Difficulties related with obtaining alloys which meet satisfactory dimensions result in the search for new solutions. One of them is the production of composites based on ferromagnetic powders obtained from amorphous alloys. This paper presents results of structure research for composite materials produced in a multi-stage production process. Magnetic composites were made on the basis of a bulk amorphous Fe70B20Y5Nb4Mo1 alloy produced by the injection method. On the basis of the obtained powder, two series of moldings were made: with 0.5% resin and covered with high-temperature varnish. Final composites were produced by using high temperature isostatic press. On the basis of the conducted research, it was found that the composites without resin are characterized by distinctly better magnetic properties as compared to resin-bonded composites.

The paper presents the results of research on the structure and magnetic properties of Fe61+xCo10−xW1Y8B20 alloys (where x = 0, 1 or 2). The alloys were produced using two production methods with similar cooling rates: Injection casting and suction casting. The alloy samples produced were subjected to isothermal annealing at 940 K for 10 min. The structure of the materials was examined using X-ray diffraction. Isothermal annealing has led to the formation of various crystallization products depending on the chemical composition of the alloy and the structure of the alloy in a solidified state. In two cases, the product of crystallization was the hard magnetic phase Y2Fe14B. However, the mechanism of this phase formation was different in both cases. The magnetic properties of alloys were tested using a vibrating sample magnetometer and a Faraday magnetic balance. It is found that the grain crystallite size of the crystalline phases have a decisive influence on the value of the coercive field (especially in the case of hard magnetic phases). It has been shown that privileged areas can already be created during the production process. Their presence determines the crystallization process.

The article presents the results of research on polymer composites based on polypropylene filled with various fillers. The physical and thermal properties of the composites are the result of the used polymer matrix as well as the properties and geometric features of the used filler. The geometric shape of the filler is particularly important in the processing of plastics in which the flow is forced, and high shearing tension occurs, which determines the high macromolecular orientation and specific arrangement of the filler particles. Thermal analysis (STA) was used in the research and photographs were taken using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) of fractures of polymer composites. The following fillers were used: talc, fibreglass, glass beads, and a halogen-free nitrogen-phosphorus flame retardant. The test material was obtained by extrusion. Shapes for strength tests, which were subjected to scanning microscopy tests after a static tensile test, were obtained by injection. The carried-out tests allowed us to determine the influence of the type and shape of individual fillers on structural changes in the structure of polypropylene composites and the degree of sample weight loss in a specific temperature range, depending on the used filler.

The structure of amorphous alloys still has not been described satisfactorily due to the lack of direct methods for observing structural defects. The magnetizing process of amorphous alloys is closely related to its disordered structure. The sensitivity of the magnetization vector to any heterogeneity allows indirect assessment of the structure of amorphous ferromagnetic alloys. In strong magnetic fields, the magnetization process involves the rotation of a magnetization vector around point and line defects. Based on analysis of primary magnetization curves, it is possible to identify the type of these defects. This paper presents the results of research into the magnetization process of amorphous alloys that are based on iron, in the areas called the approach to ferromagnetic saturation and the Holstein–Primakoff para-process. The structure of a range of specially produced materials was examined using X-ray diffraction. Primary magnetization curves were measured over the range of 0 to 2 T. The process of magnetizing all of the tested alloys was associated with the presence of linear defects, satisfying the relationship Ddi p < 1H. It was found that the addition of yttrium, at the expense of hafnium, impedes the magnetization process. The alloy with an atomic content of Y = 10% was characterized by the highest saturation magnetization value and the lowest value of the Dspf parameter, which may indicate the occurrence of antiferromagnetic ordering in certain regions of this alloy sample.

This study aims to determine the effect of addition of a small quantity of Si on the formation of nanocrystalline structure in rapidly cooled Fe-Co-B alloys. As part of the work, the following alloys were produced using a method involving the forcing of each respective liquid alloy into a copper mold: Fe65Co11−xB20SixZr2Hf2 (where: x = 0; 0.25; 0.5; 0.75; 1). Analysis of recorded X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed that a nanocrystalline structure was obtained in the alloys. The intensity of the diffraction reflections was found to change with changing Si content. The Fe23B6 crystalline phase was present in the volume of each alloy. This phase has soft magnetic properties. The presence of the Fe23B6 phase was confirmed by measurements of the magnetic polarization of saturation as a function of temperature.

This paper presents the results of an investigation into rapidly quenched Fe-based alloys with the chemical formula: Fe61Co10B20W1Y8−xPtx (where x = 3, 4, 5). In these alloys, a small quantity of Pt was added, and the Y content was reduced concurrently. Samples of the aforementioned alloys were injection-cast in the form of plates with the dimensions: 0.5 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm. The resulting structure was examined using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Mössbauer spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of the structural research reveal that, with a small addition of Pt, areas rich in Pt and Y are created—in which Fe-Pt and Pt-Y compounds, with different crystallographic systems, are formed. It has also been shown that an increase in Pt content, at the expense of Y, contributed to the formation of fewer crystalline phases, i.e., it allowed a material with a more homogeneous structure to be obtained. Magnetic properties of the Fe61Co10B20W1Y8−xPtx (where x = 3, 4, 5) alloy samples were tested using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The magnetic properties of the investigated materials revealed that the saturation magnetisation increased with increasing Pt content, at the expense of Y. This effect is due to the occurrence of different proportions of crystalline magnetic phases within the volume of each alloy.

Concrete mix design and the determination of concrete performance are not merely engineering studies, but also mathematical and statistical endeavors. The study of concrete mechanical properties involves a myriad of factors, including, but not limited to, the amount of each constituent material and its proportion, the type and dosage of chemical additives, and the inclusion of different waste materials. The number of factors and combinations make it difficult, or outright impossible, to formulate an expression of concrete performance through sheer experimentation. Hence, design of experiment has become a part of studies, involving concrete with material addition or replacement. This paper reviewed common design of experimental methods, implemented by past studies, which looked into the analysis of concrete performance. Several analysis methods were employed to optimize data collection and data analysis, such as analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression, Taguchi method, Response Surface Methodology, and Artificial Neural Network. It can be concluded that the use of statistical analysis is helpful for concrete material research, and all the reviewed designs of experimental methods are helpful in simplifying the work and saving time, while providing accurate prediction of concrete mechanical performance.

Geopolymer concrete has the potential to replace ordinary Portland cement which can reduce carbon dioxide emission to the environment. The addition of different amounts of steel fibers, as well as different types of end-shape fibers, could alter the performance of geopolymer concrete. The source of aluminosilicate (fly ash) used in the production of geopolymer concrete may lead to a different result. This study focuses on the comparison between Malaysian fly ash geopolymer concrete with the addition of hooked steel fibers and geopolymer concrete with the addition of straight-end steel fibers to the physical and mechanical properties. Malaysian fly ash was first characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to identify the chemical composition. The sample of steel fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete was produced by mixing fly ash, alkali activators, aggregates, and specific amounts of hook or straight steel fibers. The steel fibers addition for both types of fibers are 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% by volume percentage. The samples were cured at room temperature. The physical properties (slump, density, and water absorption) of reinforced geopolymer concrete were studied. Meanwhile, a mechanical performance which is compressive, as well as the flexural strength was studied. The results show that the pattern in physical properties of geopolymer concrete for both types of fibers addition is almost similar where the slump is decreased with density and water absorption is increased with the increasing amount of fibers addition. However, the addition of hook steel fiber to the geopolymer concrete produced a lower slump than the addition of straight steel fibers. Meanwhile, the addition of hook steel fiber to the geopolymer concrete shows a higher density and water absorption compared to the sample with the addition of straight steel fibers. However, the difference is not significant. Besides, samples with the addition of hook steel fibers give better performance for compressive and flexural strength compared to the samples with the addition of straight steel fibers where the highest is at 1.0% of fibers addition.

Modern materials are increasingly used, directly or indirectly, in the protection of monuments. Electrical equipment is used in all laboratories, where monuments are subjected to conservation or restoration. Transformers are included in most of these electrical devices; and, in museums and laboratories, there are also distribution transformers. In these transformers, idling losses (also known as transformer core losses'), play a major role in relation to significant changes in load. Materials in which magnetostriction occurs are commonly used to manufacture transformer cores. During the magnetization of the magnetic core of the transformer, there is a change in its dimensions, resulting in the formation of mechanical waves; these waves propagate, both in the air (giving the characteristic sound of a transformer in operation - with significant intensity for large installations), and also in the building structure - through fixtures installed in the ground and walls. High magnetostriction of the core material also creates significant releases of heat - which should be removed, so as not to damage the stored exhibits. Electrical devices usually work at low frequencies of 50 Hz - which causes the formation of waves of considerable wavelengths in the building structure. The suppression of these waves is problematic, and even at low amplitudes, in the long-term such waves can cause plastic deformation or fatigue of the materials from which exhibits are made, hence resulting in their gradual degeneration. Using a carefully selected chemical composition and an amorphous structure, material properties can be modeled in such a way as to obtain a material with almost zero magnetostriction. In addition, changes in chemical composition can lead to the reduction of losses on remagnetization; i.e. the reduction of energy consumption and the associated release of adverse heat. One of the components of losses due to magnetization is that of additional losses'. As part of this work, amorphous samples of two alloys, Fe60Co10Y8Ni2B20 and Fe60Co10Y7Ni3B20, were produced using injection casting method. Dynamic performance tests were carried out on the manufactured materials using a Ferrometer. Based on the loss measurements, additional losses were determined in relation to the maximum induction. The relationship between the percentage share of additional losses and the maximum induction was found for both of the examined alloys.