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  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Microstructure-erosion resistance correlation in high chromium cast iron: a digital image processing approach
    (AGH University Press, 2026) Vezzania, Ottavia; Fortinia, Annalisa; Gragnaninia, Michele; Sumana, Alessio; Zanini, Nicola
    High chromium cast irons (HCCIs) are widely employed as wear-resistant hardfacing materials in industrial applications where solid particle erosion (SPE) represents a primary degradation mechanism, such as in energy production, mining, and cement manufacturing. The erosive wear resistance of these alloys is strongly dependent on the microstructural features of the primary $M_{7}C_{3}$ carbides, particularly their size, morphology, and spatial distribution within the metallic matrix. The quantitative relationship between carbide distribution homogeneity and erosion resistance has received limited attention in the literature. This study investigates the erosive wear resistance of a Fe-Cr-C cast iron hardfacing alloy and proposes three digital image processing methods to quantitatively characterise the carbide microstructure and correlate it with experimental erosion test results. Optical microscopy combined with image binarisation was used to segment primary $M_{7}C_{3}$ carbides. Three methods were adopted: carbide volume fraction (CVF), minimum inter-carbide distances, and a moving scanning area approach. Erosion tests were conducted according to ASTM G76 guidelines using two Arizona road dust powder grades with two mean diameters under equal kinetic energy conditions. Results show that the erosion rate decreases significantly with the increasing erodent particle size and that carbide distribution homogeneity plays a critical role in determining the erosion resistance. The moving scanning area method proved particularly effective at correlating microstructural coverage with experimental erosion rates.
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Comparison of component properties between HPDC and rheocasting applying the RheoMetal$^{TM}$ process
    (AGH University Press, 2026) Cziegler, Andreas
    Since the 1970s, there has been increasing interest in semi-solid processes, allowing improved mould filling with lower gas porosity and lower melt temperatures with improved tool life compared to the standard HPDC process. Challenges lie in the process know-how and the precise temperature control to ensure process stability and reproducibility. In contrast to other semi-solid processes, the RheoMetal$^{TM}$ process achieves the semi-solid state by stirring in an enthalpy exchange material (EEM). This work compares component properties (engine mount) produced by standard HPDC and rheocasting, applying the RheoMetal$^{TM}$ process using an AlSi7MnMg alloy. The results of component testing and radioscopic examination reveal promising outcomes regarding process stability, pore formation, and component properties compared to the standard HPDC process.
  • Item type:Journal Issue,
    Journal of Casting & Materials Engineering
    2026 - Vol. 10 - No. 2
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Antibacterial polyurethane adhesives for medical applications
    (AGH University Press, 2026) Pitera, Dominika; Pilch-Pitera, Barbara; Woźny, Ireneusz; Krajewski, Dariusz; Ciszkowicz, Ewa; Bester, Karol
    In this study, polyurethane prepolymers and two-component adhesive systems with antibacterial properties were synthesised and characterised for potential biomedical applications as tissue adhesives. The developed materials were designed to operate in moist biological environments and to provide simultaneous adhesive and antibacterial functions. The viscosity of the obtained prepolymers, measured using a Brookfield viscometer, ranged from 2.30 to 3.36 Pa·s, indicating favourable rheological properties for dosing, mixing, and application on tissue surfaces. The chemical structure of the crosslinked adhesives was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, which revealed characteristic urethane bands and the absence of isocyanate groups, indicating complete conversion during curing. Contact angle measurements demonstrated the hydrophilic nature of the materials, suggesting good potential for adhesion to wet biological tissues. Mechanical characterisation showed medium hardness (medium-soft materials) and high adhesive strength exceeding 5 MPa, confirming suitable mechanical performance for tissue bonding applications. Antibacterial testing indicated that the incorporation of a biopolymer-based antimicrobial agent resulted in strong biocidal activity, outperforming conventional silver-based additives. The results demonstrate that the developed polyurethane-based adhesive systems combine favourable mechanical, physicochemical, and antibacterial properties, making them promising candidates for surgical applications.
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Numerical optimisation of investment-cast wheel components for drone applications using MAGMASOFT®
    (AGH University Press, 2026) Jonthalaa, Joshua Samuel Isaac; Lelito, Janusz
    Investment casting technology of thin-walled components for drone applications requires precise filling and solidification control to minimise porosity and ensure structural integrity. Porosity is one of the most common defects found in castings, and its prediction and analysis are essential for improving the quality of complex superalloy components. In this work, porosity-related defects were examined using the MAGMASOFT® 6.1 numerical simulation software for casting, focusing on the filling and solidification behaviour of an investment casting wheel body component in drone applications. A series of simulations were performed, and two design and simulation versions were developed, analysed and compared. The wheel body component selected for this work is made of IN713 superalloy. The numerical modelling included the assessment of porosity distribution, hot spot formation, filling behaviour, cooling, and solidification patterns. Fifteen combinations of alloy and shell initial temperatures were evaluated to determine the most favourable thermal conditions for reducing porosity, considering the specific geometry and casting characteristics of the wheel. Based on the initial results, the casting design was modified by adjusting the runner geometry and assembly configuration. This study introduces a two-stage simulation approach to optimise porosity reduction. The second version of the simulations demonstrated a noticeable reduction in pores, particularly in critical regions of the wheel body. The findings can support drone component manufacturers in improving casting reliability. The results confirm that simulation-driven optimisation of the casting design and thermal parameters can significantly improve the quality of the components produced by investment casting technology.
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Integration of MASW and ERT methods for site characterisation: a case study from Czernichów (Southern Poland)
    (Wydawnictwa AGH, 2026) Cichostępski, Kamil; Bania, Grzegorz; Borecka, Aleksandra 
    The paper presents an integrated use of multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) to characterise the physical properties of near-surface materials, identify subsurface structures, and estimate the depth to bedrock in a planned construction area near Czernichów, close to Krakow (southern Poland). The study shows that integrating MASW and ERT provides a cost-effective and complementary approach to subsurface characterisation, delivering more reliable and less ambiguous interpretations than when the methods are applied independently, thereby reducing the need for expensive and invasive in situ geotechnical investigations. Particular emphasis is also placed on the methodological aspects of both methods. The study site is located on an alluvial plain composed of alluvial soils, sands, sand–gravel mixtures, and silty clays overlying limestone bedrock. Geophysical data were collected along five profiles. The resulting shear wave velocity models and the inverse model resistivity sections show good agreement with borehole data. The study area is characterised by a wide range of physical parameters derived from both methods. The MASW survey enabled recognition of the subsurface down to the bedrock, revealing four seismic layers differing in S-wave velocity. Nevertheless, the MASW inversion did not provide reliable estimates of the limestone S-wave velocity, although it successfully delineated its depth and morphology. The ERT survey identified three geoelectrical layers and proved to be more effective in resolving shallow geological structure, particularly in identifying the boundaries between alluvial soils and sand–gravel mixtures, whereas the depth and morphology of the limestone bedrock were constrained primarily by MASW.
  • Item type:Journal Volume,
    Geology, Geophysics & Environment
    Vol. 52 (2026)
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Application of the ground penetrating radar (GPR) method in the detection of underground utilities above the Kobilja Glava Tunnel
    (Wydawnictwa AGH, 2026) Bektašević, Ekrem; Filipović, Satko; Bojić, Mirnes; Crnogorac, Luka; Gutić, Kemal; Skrzypkowski, Krzysztof
    Accurate detection and mapping of underground utilities in complex urban environments, particularly in intensive construction zones such as tunnel sites, presents a significant engineering challenge. This paper investigates the application of ground penetrating radar (GPR) integrated with high-accuracy real-time kinematic (RTK) GNSS positioning to identify and spatially define a damaged sewer pipeline above the Kobilja Glava tunnel construction site in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Non-destructive investigation was required due to the lack of reliable underground utility documentation and wastewater ingress into the tunnel during construction. The study was conducted under complex urban and geotechnical conditions, including asphalt pavement, high soil moisture, heterogeneous subsurface layers, and proximity to the tunnel. GPR surveys were performed using a dual- channel Leica DS2000 system with 250 MHz and 700 MHz antennas, combining grid-based and free-profile measurements. Spatial georeferencing was achieved with a Topcon Hiper HR RTK GNSS receiver, which provides centimeter-level positioning of identified reflectors within the national coordinate system of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Data processing and interpretation followed standard GPR procedures. Results show that the sewer pipeline was reliably identified through hyperbolic reflections, with the depth of the pipe crown ranging from 1.1 to 1.7 m. Integration of GPR and GNSS data enabled precise reconstruction of the pipeline’s position and depth, supporting the design of a new pipeline and reducing construction risks. The study demonstrates the high effectiveness of the integrated GPR-GNSS approach in complex urban environments near tunnel structures. These findings suggest that the integration of GPR and GNSS technologies serves not only for object detection but also provides a critical methodological framework for real-time risk assessment during underground construction. The study demonstrates how precise spatial definition of damaged infrastructure can prevent broader geotechnical instabilities, elevating the work from a local case study to a universal model for monitoring urban infrastructure under stress.
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Electrical imaging and 3D modeling of a discontinuous aquifer: Insights from Toumbakro, Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire
    (Wydawnictwa AGH, 2026) Loukou, Kouamé Gbèlè Hermann; Kouamé, Loukou Nicolas; Kouadio, Kouao Laurent
    A geophysical survey using electrical imaging in the Wenner–Schlumberger configuration was carried out in a crystalline basement region in central Côte d’Ivoire to improve knowledge of the aquifers in this area affected by recurrent water stress. The 2D resistivity sections, corroborated by petrographic field observations and drilling data, led to the development a 3D conceptual model of the aquifers in the study area. This model distinguishes three main lithological units: a resistant surface cover consisting of a lateritic cuirass, a conductive alteritic layer, and, at the base, a more or less fractured crystalline basement. From a structural point of view, several fracture networks have been identified, with predominantly NW–SE, NNW–SSE, and N–S orientations, constituting potential groundwater circulation zones.
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    The effect of different additives on the immobilization of heavy metals, the stability of organic matter, and the ecotoxicity of municipal sewage sludge
    (Wydawnictwa AGH, 2026) Gondek, Krzysztof; Baran, Agnieszka; Siudek, Michał
    There is an ongoing search for the most environmentally friendly use of various materials as additives to improve sludge properties. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of additive type and dose of biochar (BC), dolomite (DL), bentonite (BN) or diatomite (DT) on heavy metal immobilization, organic matter stability, biochemical activity and ecotoxicity of municipal sewage sludge (SS). Risk Assessment Code (RAC) and Ecological Risk Factor (ERF) values indicated low risk associated with heavy metal (HM) mobility. Higher non-hydrolyzing C contents, compared to SS control, were found in SS to which 1% BC (by 3.6%), 1% DL (by 38.0%), 1% BN (by 25.5%) and 1% DT (by 20.6%) were added. Higher ratio C humic acids/C fulvic acids (Ckh/Ckf) values (more than 30% on average) were obtained when 1% BC, DL or BN were added compared to the 3% addition. Compared to the SS, the Ckh/Ckf values in SS with the addition of BC, DL or BN were on average more than 19% higher. The least varied values of dehydrogenase activity and respiration activity of SS (within dose) were obtained after the application of DT and BC, while the values of both parameters differed the most when BN was added to SS. Based on the results, it is not possible to clearly state which of the applied additives had the most significant effect on reducing the biochemical activity of SS. Sewage sludge and its mixtures generally showed low phytotoxicity to Sorghum saccharatum and Lepidium sativum, as root growth inhibition was 8–56% and 17–48%, respectively.
Prawa dostępu

W uzgodnieniu z Wydawnictwami AGH od 1 marca 2011 r. pełne teksty artykułów zamieszczanych na łamach czasopism elektronicznych wydawanych w AGH dostępne są w sieciach rozległych bez żadnych ograniczeń.

Dostęp: otwarty
Licencja: CC BY 4.0 (Uznanie autorstwa 4.0 Międzynarodowe)