The subject of the research was an alloy AlZnMg and AlCuMg with addition of Zr and Ag manufactured of powders by hot plastic consolidation in process of direct extrusion. Paper also presents results of research of structure evolution and mechanical properties for different tempers of precipitation strengthening and further plastic deformation, including hydrostatic extrusion. Obtained results R m above 700MPa (for AlZnMg alloy) and above 500MPa (for AlCuMg alloy) shows significant possibilities of manufacturing from Al alloys powders products with ultrafine grain and nanometric structure which properties exceeding alloys manufactured with standard methods.

The article presents the results of firing test of armor reinforced with layers of different thickness made from ceramic plates, metal (aluminium, RHA), polyethylene, laminates, and aramid fabric. Plates of new type sintered from materials based on the intermetallic phases of NiAl produced by high-temperature exothermic reaction of powder synthesis were also studied. The tested armor was made by casting or by joining individual layers with glue and lamination. The strength necessary to protect the armor against firing with B-32 armor piercing projectiles of 12.7 mm calibre was obtained for armor plates made of Al2O3, SiC, AlN, NiAl10Ni and NiAl10NiSi incorporated in an Al alloy matrix. Studies of the firing test of passive spatial armor models made from the Al2O3, SiC, B4C ceramics (with the thickness of 8 divided by 10 mm) showed effective stopping of 7.62mm calibre B-32 AP projectiles in armor of the following parameters: thickness similar to 20 mm, weight 44 kg/m(2) for Al(2)0(3), 38 kg/m(2) for SiC and 32 kg/m(2) for B4C.

Studies of Advanced Technologies Used in the Manufacture of Products from Aluminium Alloys The test stands already put in operation and still under development, installed in the Light Metals Division Skawina of the Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals in Gliwice are described. The presentation includes 5MN horizontal direct-indirect extrusion press, 2,5MN vertical forging press, "MeltechConfex MC-260" device for continuous rotary extrusion process, "Melt-Spinning" plant for casting of thin strips, melting-casting plant for Mg alloy billets, heat treatment line, and new testing equipment, including Instron 5582 100 kN and Instron 600DX 600 kN testing machines with attachments for tests carried out at low and high temperatures, automatic hardness tester for HB, HV and HRC hardness measurements, portable X-ray diffractometer for measurement of internal stresses, optical emission spectrometer with channels for the analysis of aluminium and magnesium alloys, STEM 200kV transmission electron microscope, and apparatus for hydrogen content measurement in the solid state. Based on the experimental potential and apparatus available, present research opportunities were discussed and modern trends in the advanced technology of Al and Mg alloys fabrication were outlined.

Purpose: The subject of the research was to study the effect of microstructure and mechanical properties of an alloy AlZnMgCuZr with addition of 0.45 % Zr manufactured from powders. Paper also presents results of different states of precipitation strengthening and further plastic deformation, including hydrostatic extrusion. Design/methodology/approach: The alloy AlZnMgCuZr was manufactured from powders using hot consolidation in process of direct extrusion and further plastic deformation (hydrostatic extrusion). The microstructure was studied using optical, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopes. The mechanical properties are discussed for different states of precipitation strengthening. Findings: Obtained results Rm above 700 MPa show significant possibilities of manufacturing Al alloys from powders with ultrafine grain and nanometric structure which properties exceeding alloys manufactured with classical methods. Research limitations/implications: The further studies are planned with use of plastic consolidation in process of direct extrusion to optimize final process of hydrostatic extrusion. The purpose is to increase mechanical properties. Practical implications: Extruded products which have higher mechanical properties than the standard are predicted to be used in aircraft industry. Originality/value: The results of studies and conclusion presented in the paper give prospects for manufacturing products from aluminium alloys offering even better mechanical properties.

Recent trends in the application of aluminium alloy stock fabricated by different methods in the process of die forging were presented. Recent trends in the research on application of shaped ingots in die forging have been described as well. The results of the studies on fabrication of die forgings of rocker from billets cast in the horizontal continuous process and compared with the results obtained on extruded rods from the EN AW-6082 alloy were quoted. The fabricated pilot forgings of rocker with cast and extruded material were next examined for their structure and mechanical properties.

Recent trends in the application of aluminium alloy stock fabricated by different methods in the process of die forging were presented. The results of the studies on fabrication of die forgings from billets cast in the EN AW-4032 and EN AW-2618A alloys by semi-continuous process in a HOT-TOP mould were quoted and compared with the results obtained on ingots of a rheocast structure made from the EN AB 42100 alloy. To obtain a rheocast structure, the ingots were subjected to mechanical stirring and to magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stirring. The results of the trial forging of the stock prepared from alloy powders by the method of hot plastic consolidation were also presented, taking as an example the AlSi26Ni8 and AlSi26Ni6Fe2 alloys. The fabricated pilot forgings of pistons were next examined for their structure and mechanical properties. Recent trends in the research on application of shaped ingots in die forging have been described as well.

Equal channel angular extrusion method (ECAE) was used to deform AlCu alloys in the range of true strains ε = 1.15 – 2.3. Samples for investigation were produced from extruded bars, conventionally manufactured and from a consolidated powder ingot. The influence of the strain on the structure was studied by using light microscopy and TEM and on properties by hardness measurement. Increased strain caused structural refinement of structure and increased hardness. The structure revealed the presence of the mutually crossing microbands, visible against the background of a high density of dislocations. After annealing, nearly equiaxed grains were formed. The material prepared by powder consolidation possessed greater hardness. The results revealed differences in structure and properties of nominally the same alloy, but processed differently, when subjected to deformation by ECAE

Fe-40Al-40Ni-20 and Fe-40Al-40Mn-20 (all in at.%) intermetallics were mechanically alloyed for 40 h and followed by hot-pressing at 650°C under 450 MPa for 1 h. As resulted from the X-ray diffraction studies, the ordered B2 structure was formed in the Fe-40Al-40Ni-20 alloy while in the case of Fe-40Al-40Mn-20 alloy, the disordered Fe(Al) solid solution was observed. The chemically homogenous rounded particles of size of about 5 μm were identified using scanning analytical electron microscopy in alloys after 40 h of milling. TEM studies of milled powders revealed a nanostructure in both alloys with grain size of about 20 nm.