The microstructure and mechanical properties of thixoformed AlSi12Cu2NiMg (AЛ25) aluminium alloy were investigated. Cooling slope method was employed in order to produce non-dendritic billets. Thixoforming process parameters were determined as follows: die temperature of 250 °C, billet temperature of 555 - 560 °C, punch velocity of 7 mm/s. Mechanical properties of automotive piston with ultimate strength of 309 MPa, yield strength of 274 MPa and elongation of 6.8 % in the T6 condition were obtained successfully, implying success of advantages of cooling slope method.

In this paper, the microstructure and mechanical properties of thixoformed 1973 (AlZn5.5Mg2.4Cu1.7Zr) wrought aluminium alloy were investigated. A cooling slope was used to produce non-dendritic billets. Thixoforming process parameters were determined as follows: die temperature of 250 °C, feedstock temperature of 600 - 605 °C, punch velocity of 7 mm/s. Mechanical properties of thixoformed with ultimate strength of 461 MPa and elongation of 3,1 % in the T2 condition. The lower properties of the thixoformed material are mainly associated with porosity.

The aim of the paper was to investigate the mechanical properties of AlTiN, TiAlN coatings deposited by the arc-PVD method on SUS304 stainless steel substrate. The coating's surface morphology and structure were examined using a profilometer, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Adhesion of the deposited coatings was determined by the Rockwell test. The sliding wear resistance of AlTiN and TiAlN was much higher than that of the stainless steel sample. The deposition of PVD film on a stainless steel substrate reduces the coefficient of friction by 3-6 times. The sliding wear mechanism of AlTiN and TiAlN coatings was different, AlTiN - the vertices of the coating were obtused, grooved, and scratched along the wear, with less material displacement in both directions along the wear trace; TiAlN - the coating was strongly plowed, the material was worn and forced in both directions of the sliding wear trace.