The publication presents the comparison of selected refining methods (gaseous and/or flux) based on mechanical properties of the obtained secondary silumin EN AC-AlSi7Mg0.3 (in accordance to the European Standard PN-EN 1706:2011). The point of reference was a similar primary alloy produced using pure batch materials. The mechanical properties measured in room temperature were used to calculate the materials quality index. The research showed, that properly carried out refinement process of secondary (recycled) alloys can bring their quality indexes close to those of their primary materials. The goal was to assess the efficiency of selected refining methods when applied to the examined group of casting silumins, by measuring the basic mechanical properties (in room temperature) before and after refining. The practical aspect was to choose an effective (ecologically, technologically and economically) method of refining of secondary EN AC-AlSi7Mg0.3 alloy used to cast car rims for JN METAL company in Ostowiec Świętokrzyski (Poland).

Currently, due to the economic and ecological aspects, light alloys are increasingly important construction material, in particular in the transport industry. One of the popular foundry magnesium alloys is the alloy AZ91, which among others due to mechanical properties and technological features, is used, for example, for light structural parts.
The paper presents the results of research on modification of the AZ91 alloy surface layer in the plasma electrolytic oxidation process. The change of usable properties of the produced coatings was obtained by introducing additions of silicon carbide or boron nitride. The thickness and hardness of the protective layers produced, resistance to scratches and corrosion resistance were determined. Moreover, the friction coefficient of the coating-steel pair was investigated. The quality of the connections made between the coating and the substrate, i.e. the magnesium alloy, was also evaluated. The results obtained for coatings with silicon carbide or boron nitride additives were always compared to the results obtained for unmodified samples.
On the basis of the obtained results, it was shown that the introduction of boron nitride additive to the AZ91 alloy coating produced in the plasma electrolytic oxidation process significantly improves the resistance to: (i) corrosion and (ii) abrasive wear of the coating.