The article presented the results of tests determining the synergistic effect of Al, Ni, and Pb additions on a zinc bath on the structure and corrosion resistance of coatings obtained on low silicon steel. Analyzed coatings were produced on S235JRG2 steel with Si content of 0.02 mass%. The corrosion resistance of the coatings was compared with the corrosion resistance of the coating obtained in the "pure" zinc bath. Structure at high magnifications (SEM) was determined, as well as coating thickness and chemical composition in microspheres. The corrosion resistance of the coatings was established comparatively in standard corrosion tests in neutral salt spray and a humid atmosphere containing SO2. It was found that the addition of Pb to the zinc bath reduced the corrosion resistance of the coatings. In the coating structure obtained in the Zn-AlNiPb bath, lead precipitation was observed in both the outer layer and the intermediate layer of the coating. Grain boundaries were the preferred site for lead precipitation. The presence of Pb precipitates favored conditions for the creation of additional corrosion cells, which led to a decrease in the corrosion resistance of the coatings.

Today more and more cars are produced every year. All of them have to be equipped with catalytic converters, the main role of which is to obtain substances harmless to the environment instead of exhausted gases. Catalytic converters contain platinum group metals (PGM) especially platinum, palladium and rhodium. The price of these metals and their increasing demand are the reasons why today it is necessary to recycle used auto catalytic converters. There are many available methods of recovering PGM metals from them, especially platinum. These methods used mainly hydrometallurgical processes; however pyrometallurgical ones become more and more popular. The article presents results of the research mainly concerning pyrometallurgical processes. Two groups of research were carried out. In the first one different metals such as lead, magnesium and copper were used as a metal collector. During the tests, platinum went to those metals forming an alloy. In other research metal vapours were blown through catalytic converter carrier (grinded or whole). In the tests metals such as calcium, magnesium, cadmium and zinc were applied. As a result white or grey powder (metal plus platinum) was obtained. The tables present results of the research. Processing parameters and conclusions are also shown. To compare efficiency of pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods catalytic converter carrier and samples of copper with platinum obtained from pyrometallurgical method were solved in aqua regia, mixture of aqua regia and fluoric acid.

Obtaining zinc coatings by the batch hot-dip galvanizing process currently represents one of the most effective and economical methods of protecting steel products and structures against corrosion. The batch hot-dip galvanizing process has been used for over 150 years, but for several decades, there has been a dynamic development of this technology, the purpose of which is to improve the efficiency of zinc use and reduce its consumption and improve the quality of the coating. The appropriate selection of the chemical composition of the galvanizing bath enables us to control the reactivity of steel, improve the drainage of liquid zinc from the product surface, and reduce the amount of waste, which directly affects the quality of the coating and the technology of the galvanizing process. For this purpose, the effect of many alloying additives to the zinc bath on the structure and thickness of the coating was tested. The article reviews the influence of various elements introduced into the bath individually and in different configurations, discusses the positive and negative effects of their influence on the galvanizing process. The current development in the field of the chemical composition of galvanizing baths is also presented and the best-used solutions for the selection and management of the chemical composition of the bath are indicated.

The refining process is one of the essential stages of aluminum production. Its main aim is to remove hydrogen, that causes porosity and weakens the mechanical and physical properties of casting aluminum. The process is mainly conducted by purging inert gas through the liquid metal, using rotary impellers. The geometry of the impellers and the processing parameters, such as flow rate of gas and rotary impeller speed, influence the gas dispersion level, and therefore the efficiency of the process. Improving the process, and optimization of parameters, can be done by physical modelling. In this paper, the research was carried out with the use of a water model of batch reactor, testing three different rotary impellers. Varied methods were used: visualization, which can help to evaluate the level of dispersion of gas bubbles in liquid metal; determination of residence time distribution (RTD) curves, which was obtained by measuring the conductivity of NaCl tracer in the fluid; and indirect studies, completed by measuring the content of dissolved oxygen in water to simulate hydrogen desorption. The research was carried out for different processing parameters, such as flow rate of refining gas (5–25 L·min−1) and rotary impeller speed (3.33–8.33 s−1). The obtained results were presented graphically and discussed in detail.

The article examines the impact of the addition of Al, Ni, and Bi to a zinc bath on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of hot dip galvanizing coatings. The microstructure on the surface and the cross-section of the coatings obtained in the Zn-AlNiBi bath were examined. The corrosion resistance of the coatings was assessed by the standard neutral salt spray test (EN ISO 9227), the sulfur dioxide test in a humid atmosphere (EN ISO 6988), and the electrochemical test. The corrosion resistance of Zn-AlNiBi coatings was compared with the corrosion resistance of coatings attained in the bath of “pure” zinc. The corrosion tests showed higher corrosion wear of the coating obtained in the Zn-AlNiBi bath and a higher value of the corrosion current density for this coating. It was found that the cause of the reduction of the corrosion resistance of the coating, in contrast to the coating obtained in the “pure” zinc bath, may be the presence of bismuth precipitates in the coating, which may form additional corrosion cells.