Nitinol is a perspective alloy that is difficult to weld because of its high sensitivity to heat, atmospheric gases and the NiTi phase instability. We evaluated several welding techniques with regard to their applicability to weld fine pseudoelastic NiTi wires. Namely, we tested the microplasma arc, laser, electron beam, resistance and capacitor discharge welding. In conclusion, the behaviour of the weld for any of the implemented welding techniques is similar; it leads to a loss of mechanical properties in the welded joint caused by a recrystallization and an increased amount of brittle intermetallic phases. Yet, under perfect shielding and with a minimum heat input, the welds could, as a whole, retain the majority of their properties, and, as such, have the desired properties close to the base metal.

Tungsten is the main candidate material for the armor of plasma facing components for ITER and future fusion devices [1]. Plasma spraying is an alternative method for manufacturing tungsten-based coatings, including composites and graded layers, having a number of advantageous features [2]. On the other hand, the main limitation to application of these coatings on high heat flux components, is their low thermal conductivity, originating in the layered structure [3]. This paper is focused on four methods of improving the coatings’ thermal conductivity. First method consists in modification of the basic spraying parameters, which have a direct influence on the coating structure and therefore properties. The other three methods involve post-processing of the coatings: molten copper infiltration, laser remelting and densification by HIPping. The latter encompasses also tungsten-copper composites of various compositions. Experimental results, including structural and thermal characterization, are presented for each method. Finally, the applicability of these methods, from the point of view of manufacturing the plasma facing components, is discussed.

Titanium is material which is used in many areas of human activity. Therefore it is necessary to join it with other material. It is very difficult to welding Ti with other metals by conventional fusion welding methods. There exist special joining technologies of heterogeneous materials which is possible to use. This is usually a joining of materials in the solid state, as diffusion welding, friction welding or explosion welding. This contribution deals with diffusion welding of titanium alloy Ti6Al4V and stainless austenitic steel 1.4301. There are described mechanical properties (as is reduced modulus Er and indentation hardness HIT) and changes of chemical composition of join due to diffusion of elements.

Common ERP systems do not solve the support for workshop management. This paper shows why and under what conditions computer support for workshop schedules is necessary. Demands on the quality of operation plans, factors having an influence on the scheduling process and criteria for selection of appropriate operations are discussed. A verification program was developed for testing the proposed hypotheses. This program proved that a repeated random selection and simulation of the production process could be a good tool for a small number of machines and production tasks. There is no need for sophisticated scheduling for a great number of machines and tasks, operational plans are enough for this purpose.

Water injection is a means of internal cooling of the engine. During combustion, excess temperatures generated are absorbed by water as latent heat. Optimum water injection quantities were found to be about 0.015 ml to 0.031 ml of water per cycle on a 592 cc SI engine. The experiments were carried out by tapping the fuel injector signal and designing a circuit to inject water at the instant petrol is injected. Fuel injection duration was tuned by using a Wide Band Lambda sensor. The engine was supercharged as well by means of compressed air supply and regulated by hysteresis control. Water injection was investigated while varying spark advance to find the Maximum Brake Torque (MBT). Maximum obtained torque improvement with water injection was 16 %. This was achieved at a manifold absolute pressure of 120 kPa, with air temperature at ambient. The same load condition, 120 kPa, with air heated to the temperature that would be obtained from isentropic compression, resulted in a torque improvement of 7 %.