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The composite materials with polymeric matrix represent a great realization of chemical engineering. Their applications in all the industrial fields are dictated by their chemical, physical and mechanical properties. In the last 50 years the polymeric composite materials received a large use in the protection and repair work of the surfaces in contact with fluid currents of various natures. The scientific researches followed by the industrial use, show that the polymere films with certain composition and properties have an excellent behavior to chemical, abrasive and cavitation erosions. Because the most stressed machine details subjected to cavitation erosions are the blades, runners and impellers of hydraulic machines as well as the ship propellers, researchers are looking for the best polymers to increase the running time, or for the use in covering the zones with shallow erosions, during the repair work. In this direction is oriented also the present research, performed in the Cavitation Laboratory of the Timisoara Polytechnic University. The obtained cavitation erosion for specimens covered with different polymere films is compared with those realized in identical conditions, but for specimens without protection films. The results show that the films assure some increase in the resistance to cavitation erosion but the tested polymer layers have reduced adherence on the metal surface.

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Among the uses of stainless steel GX5CrNi18-10 one mentions the hydraulic machine blades and the rotors, which are highly susceptible to cavitation. To achieve a long life service under cavitation conditions, the pieces made of this steel are subjected to volumetric thermal treatments, which change the structure and mechanical properties. In this paper, one presents the results of the research concerning the behavior and the resistance to the cavitation erosion of the thermally sensitized GX5CrNi18-10 stainless steel, applying four different temperature regimes (two at 650°C and two at 750°C) and different durations (30 minutes and respectively 60 minutes). The results are presented in the form of cumulative mass loss curves M (t) and erosion rate v (t). The assessment of the cavitation resistance provided by each heat treatment regime is based on the average durability cavitation parameter, as defined by K. Steller. The research was conducted on the standard vibrator with piezo-ceramic crystals from the Cavitation Laboratory of the Politechnica University of Timisoara.

The paper presents a case study on the original solution of a flange shaft as part of the root area of a 5 kW wind turbine blade. There were analyzed the causes that led to the shaft breakage under wind loadings in extreme weather conditions, and consequently technical solutions have been searched in order to improve the shaft design making it more reliable as mechanical strength at extreme wind loadings. The flange shaft is a welded subassembly that keeps the blades attached to the rotor hub. The first part of the paper consists in an analysis referring the loading status, the materials used for blade manufacturing, the identification of critical areas where the breaking was initiated and also the causes for which the materials assumed and specified in the technical design and manufacturing technology failed under loading at wind gusts of about 30 m/sec. Based on this preliminary analysis, the second part of the paper presents the technical solutions which were considered in reference to the materials and the improved design concept aiming to provide the right mechanical strength necessary to withstand specific wind loadings in extreme weather conditions.