alloy powders were prepared using an industrial scale gas atomizer, followed by warm extrusion. The powders were almost spherical in shape. The microstructure of powders as atomized and bars as extruded was examined as a function of initial powder size distribution using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscope (EDS) and X-ray Diffractometer (XRD). The grain sizes were decreased with extruding as well as decreasing the initial powder sizes. Both the ultimate strength and elongation were enhanced as the initial powder sizes were decreased.

This paper compares the effect of using different types of iron powders for the preparation of by calciothermic reduction-diffusion (CRD). Three types of iron powder were used: carbonyl, sponge and water atomized. The results show that, when immediately nitrogenated after the CRD process, prepared from sponge and water atomized iron powders yield -magnets with a high degree of texture. However, after a suitable treatment with hydrogen followed by nitrogenation, -powders made from Carbonyl iron produce magnets with the best quality regarding coercivity, remanence and degree of texture.

High Energy Milling (HEM) is applied for the grinding of cement and this can lead to substantial refinement (<2μm) and mechanically activation of the powder particles. The present paper reviews the preliminary studies, explains the novel technique and suggests the route into commercial application. Particular attention is paid to wear results with an applied unit where no substantial wear was found after 4000 h of operation.

We studied formation of nanostructured -Cu composites under shock wave conditions. We investigated the influence of preliminary mechanical activation (MA) of Ti-B-Cu powder mixtures on the peculiarities of the reaction between Ti and B under shock wave. In the MA-ed mixture the reaction proceeded completely while in the non-activated mixture the reagents remained along with the product . titanium diboride. The size of titanium diboride particles in the central part of the compact was 100-300 nm.

Particulate reinforced titanium composites were produced by PM rout. Differents volumetric percentages of TiN reinforcements were used, 5,10,15 vol%. Samples were uniaxial pressed and vacuum sintered at differents temperatures between . Density, porosity, shrinkage, mechanical properties and microstructure were studied. Elastic properties and strength resistance were analysed by flexural strength and tension tests, and after the test, fractured samples were analysed too, obtaining a correlation between the fracture, interparticulated or intraparticulated, and the reinforcement addition.. Hardness and microhardness test were applied too, in order to complete the study about mechanical properties. In order to study wear resistance pin-on-disc test were used. In addition, the temperature influence, the reactivity between matrix and reinforcement, and the microstructures developed were observed by optical and electron microscopy.

A technology of hardening porous materials of titan powders has been elaborated. The technology is based on passing alternating current with duration of ~10-1...101 s through porous (35...40%) blanks made by method of Sintering by Electric Discharge (SED) by passing a pulse of current with duration of ~10-5...10-3 s. The influence of technological regimes of porous blanks treatment on their structure and properties is investigated. Geometry and dimension of contact necks between powder particles of obtained samples are evaluated. Variations of porosity and strengths as well as microstructure of porous samples materials before and after treatment are investigated. Optimum range of treatment technological regimes is determined within which porosity of 30...35% with maximum strength values.

The correct computer simulation of the powder compaction stage requires the determination of the elastoplastic parameters which characterize its mechanical behavour. Instrumented dies are frequently used to monitor the longitudinal and radial stress occurring during powder compaction. When strain gages are employed a previous calibration is needed. Many sources of error exist that can lead to the incorrect calibration of the instrumented die. By means of a FEM simulation some of these problems are analysed. The effect of die wall thickness, compression length, and strain location are studied.

The present paper is a parameter study of zinc flake production using a Simoloyer CM01 horizontal high energy rotary ball mill. The manufactured flakes have a dimension in thickness (t) < 1μm and diameters (d) 5-100 μm, consequently a ratio d/t up to 200. The flake geometry is mainly controlled by the variation of process parameters such as rotary speed of the rotor, ratio of powder/ball charge, load ratio of the system, process temperature, operating model and the quantity of process control agent (PCA). The Zn flakes were characterized by SEM, tap densitometry, laser diffraction and water coverage measurement.

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell technology uses powder processes to produce electrodes with residual porosity by partially sintering a mixture of electronically and ionically conducting particles. We model porous fuel cell electrodes with 3D packings of monosized spherical particles. These packings are created by numerical sintering. Each particle-particle contact is characteristic for an ionic, electronic or electrochemical resistance. The numerical packing is then discretized into a resistor network which is solved by using Kirchhoff's current law to evaluate the electrode's electrochemical performance. We investigate in particular percolation effects in functionally graded electrodes as compared to other types of electrodes.

Von Ebner's glands (vEG) are minor salivary glands associated with circumvallate and foliate papilla. The secretions of vEG consist of microenvironment of the taste buds in the circumvallate and foliate papillae, and thus saliva from vEG plays a role in the perception of taste. The Ca²+ signaling system in rat vEG acinar cell was examined using the Ca²+-sensitive fluorescent indicator Fura-2. Agonist-induced increase in intracellular Ca²+([Ca²+]i) was stimulated by carbachol (CCh) and substance P (SP), but not by norepinephrine (NE), and recovered to control levels by their receptor antagonists dose-dependently. The effects were also observed in Ca²+-free medium, suggesting mobilization from intracellular Ca²+ store. These results in the vEG acinar cell indicate that 1) [Ca²+]i is at least regulated by muscarinic and neurokininergic (NK1) receptors; 2) the increases in [Ca²+]i activated by CCh and SP are mainly mediated by discharge of cytosolic calcium pool.