Volume 15 (2015): Issue 1 (March 2015)

Friction Stir Welding (FSW), provides an alternative to MIG and TIG welding methods for joining aluminium alloys. The article presents the results of electrochemical corrosion resistance test of alloy AW- 7020M and its joints welded by FSW. The study was performed using the method of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Impedance spectroscopy studies showed that both, the FSW welded joint and base material AW-7020M has a good resistance to electrochemical corrosion in sea water environment, wherein the welded joint has a higher susceptibility to this type of corrosion. Research has indicated the desirability of applying the FSW method for joining AW-7020M alloy in shipbuilding industry.

Scaffolds are porous three-dimensional structures which are used to fill bone losses and make them possible to cells to grow. Many different structural and biological properties are required from them: porosity, mechanical strength and biocompability. The present research is aimed at development of composite polyurethane/hydroxyapatite scaffolds by using the solvent-casting salt leaching method. The SEM examinations were applied to assess the structure of obtained scaffolds

In the paper, the passive surface layers of AISI 304L after standard (EP50) and very-high-current density electropolishing (EP1000) in a mixture of orthophosphoric and sulfuric acids in a 1:4 ratio, are presented. The main finding of the presented studies is enrichment of the steel surface film in chromium: total chromium to total iron ratio was equal to 6.6 after EP50 and to 2.8 after EP1000; on the other hand, chromium compounds to iron compounds ratio was equal to 10.1 after EP50, and 3.9 after EP1000.

Nowadays the joint replacement orthopaedic surgery is most frequently performed surgery associated with the damage of the join surface. The implantation is mainly placed in hip and knee area. This work includes the hip replacement design, based on the patient's medical records, the description of creation process and materials used for individual components.

Among the minerals found in the earth's crust, clay minerals are of the widest interest. Due to the specific properties such as plasticity, absorbing and catalytic properties clay minerals are used in many industries (oil & gas, chemistry, pharmacy, refractory technology, ceramics etc.). In drilling, a phenomenon of swelling clays is frequently observed. It has an important impact on the cementing quality. During the last few decades clays have been the subject of research on a scale unprecedented in the history of mineralogy. This paper presents review literature on mineralogy of clay minerals and phenomenon of swelling in oil and gas industry. Unique ion exchange properties and clay swelling mechanisms are also considered.