The most important feature of bells is their sound. Their clarity and beauty depend, first of all, on the bell’s geometry - particularly the shape of its profile and the mechanical properties of alloy. Bells are the castings that work by emitting sound in as-cast state. Therefore all features that are created during melting, pouring, solidification and cooling processes will influence the bell's sound. The mechanical properties of bronze depend on the quality of alloy and microstructure which is created during solidification and depend on its kinetics. Hence, if the solidification parameters influence the alloy’s properties, how could they influence the frequencies of bell`s tone? Taking into account alterable thickness of bell's wall and differences in microstructure, the alloy's properties in bell could be important. In the article authors present the investigations conducted to determine the influence of cooling kinetics on microstructure of bronze with 20 weight % tin contents.

The article shows results of studies of primary crystallization and wear resistance of Cr-Ni-Mo cast steel intended for work in corrosive

and abrasive conditions. The studies of primary crystallization were conducted with use of TDA method and modified tester allowing

measurement casting cooling time influence on the cooling and crystallization curves of studied alloys. After heat treatment of examined

cast steel wear tests of the samples were conducted on pin-on-disc type device.

In the paper the results and analysis of abrasive wear studies were shown for two grades of cast steels: low-alloyed cast steel applied for

heavy machinery parts such as housing, covers etc. and chromium cast steels applied for kinetic nodes of pin-sleeve type. Studies were

performed using the modified in Department of Foundry pin-on-disc method.

Structure, and thus the mechanical properties of steel are primarily a function of chemical composition and the solidification process which can be influenced by the application of the inoculation treatment. This effect depends on the modifier used. The article presents the results of studies designed to assess the effects of structural low alloy steel inoculation by selected modifying additives. The study was performed on nine casts modeled with different inoculants, assessment of the procedure impact was based on the macrostructure of made castings. The ratio of surface area equivalent to the axial zone of the crystals and columnar crystals zone was adopted as a measure of the inoculation effect.