Fe-Cr-B alloy is a material with precipitation of boride inside Fe matrix, and it features outstanding hardness and wear resistance properties. However, Fe-Cr-B alloy is a difficult material to process, making it difficult to use as a bulk type structure material which requires delicate shapes. This study attempted to manufacture Fe-Cr-B alloy using a 3D printing process, laser metal deposition. This study also investigated the microstructure, hardness and compression properties of the manufactured alloy. Phase analysis results is confirmed that α-Fe phase as matrix and (Cr, Fe)2B phase as reinforcement phase. In the case of (Cr, Fe)2B phase, differences were observed according to the sample location. While long, coarse, unidirectional needle-type boride phases (~11 μm thickness) were observed in the center area of the sample, relatively finer boride phases (~6 μm thickness) in random directions were observed in other areas. At room temperature compression test results confirmed that the sample had a compression strength is approximately 2.1 GPa, proving that the sample is a material with extremely high strength. Observation of the compression fracture surface identified intergranular fractures in areas with needle-type boride, and transgranular fractures in areas with random borides. Based on this results, this study also reviewed the deformation behavior of LMD Fe-Cr-B alloy in relation to its microstructures.

The durability of building structures reinforced by steel is one of the main concerns in civil engineering. Currently, research in the field is focused on the possibility of replacing steel with relatively corrosion-resistant reinforcement, such as BFRP (Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymers) bars. The behaviour of BFRP bars during compression has not yet been determined. The experimental results pertaining to BFRP bars subjected to compression were presented and discussed in the paper. The research program involved the preparation of 45 BFRP samples with varying unbraced length and nominal diameter of 8 mm that were subjected to compression. For samples with the unbraced length of up to 85 mm, the destruction was caused by crushing. The bars with the unbraced length greater than 120 mm were destroyed as a result of global buckling of the bar and subsequent fiber kinking. Based on the relationship between the buckling load strength – unbraced length, the optimal unbraced length of BFRP bar was determined, for which buckling load strength reaches its maximum value. The buckling load strength decreased, as the unbraced length increased. The values of modulus of elasticity under compression for variable unbraced lengths were slightly different for the samples, and were similar to the modulus of elasticity obtained at the tensile testing. The relationship between the buckling load strength and the unbraced length of BFRP bars was determined. This may contribute to the optimization of the transverse reinforcement spacing in compressed elements and to the development of standard provisions in the area of elements reinforced with FRP bars being subjected to compression.

Two types of composites, consisting of pure magnesium matrix reinforced with two commercially used carbon fibers, were systematically studied in this paper. The composites fabricated by the pressure infiltration method, were subjected to quasistatic and dynamic compression tests. Morphology of fiber strands was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The application of carbon fibre reinforcement led to the stiffening of tested materials, resulting in the limitation of the possible compression to approx. 2.5%. The performed tests revealed the remarkable difference in compression strength of investigated compositions. The cause of that effect was that GRANOC fiber reinforced composite exhibited insufficient bond quality between the brittle fibers and the ductile matrix. T300 reinforced composite presented good connection between reinforcement and matrix resulting in increased mechanical properties. Investigated composites demonstrated higher mechanical strength during deformation at high strain rates. Microscopic observations also proved that the latter fibers with regular shape and dense packaging within the filaments are proper reinforcement when designing the lightweight composite material.

An open-cell Ni-Mo-Cr foam was newly manufactured using electrostatic powder spraying process and its room-temperature compressive properties were investigated in this study. For manufacturing Ni-Mo-Cr foam, Ni-Mo-Cr powders were sprayed on the polyurethane pre-form by electrostatic powder spraying process. And then, Ni-Mo-Cr powder sprayed pre-forms were sintered at 1200℃, 1250℃, and 1300℃, respectively. The relative densities of Ni-Mo-Cr foams were measured at 4 ~ 5%. Room temperature compressive curves of ESP Ni-Mo-Cr foams represented the typical compressive 3-stages (elastic, plateau, densification) of open-cell metallic foam. As a result of observation of deformed specimen, the fracture mode found to be changed from brittle to ductile as sintering temperature increased. Based on these findings, correlations between structural characteristics, microstructure, and compressive deformation behavior were also discussed.