The study investigates the effect of the organic compound representing the cellulose derivative - sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC/Na) on the structure of the main component of bentonite (B) - montmorillonite (MMT). Structural analysis revealed that the CMC/Na of different viscosity interacts with the mineral only via surface adsorption, causing at the same time partial or full delamination of its layered structure. This was confirmed by the XRD diffraction tests. Such polymer destructive influence on the structure of the modified main component of the bentonite limits the use of its composites as an independent binder in moulding sand technology, but does not exclude it from acting as an additive being a lustrous carbon carrier. According to the IR spectra of the B/CMC/Na materials, it can be stated that the interaction between the organic and inorganic parts is based on the formation of hydrogen bonds. That kind of the interpretation applies especially to the MMT modified in the bentonite with a lower viscosity polymer. The characteristics of the main IR absorption bands for composites with a higher viscosity polymer indicates the formation of less stable structures suggesting the random nature of the hydrogen bonds formation.

Recently, new materials have been developed in the field of bridge design, one of which is FRP composite. To investigate this topic, the Polish National Centre for Research and Development has founded a research project, whose objectives are to develop, manufacture and test a typical FRP bridge superstructures. Two innovative ideas of FRP composite girder-deck structural systems for small and medium span bridges have been proposed. This paper describes the demonstrative bridges and presents the research results on their development and deployment. The finite element analysis and design procedure, structural evaluation in the laboratory and some results of the proof tests carried out on both bridge systems have been briefly presented.

Al-Y-Fe amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys are characterized by a unique collection of diverse properties that are influenced by various factors, including heat treatment. In this paper, the effect of heat treatment on the structural changes and selected properties of Al-Y-Fe metallic glasses in the as-spun state is investigated. The structure of the Al88Y7Fe5 and Al88Y6Fe6 alloys was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS). The corrosion resistance of the samples was characterized using polarization tests in a 3.5% NaCl solution at 25 °C. The effect of sodium chloride on the surface was studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The magnetic properties of Al-based alloys were explored using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It was revealed that the tested alloys show better properties after annealing than in the as-spun state. The annealing of the Al88Y7Fe5 and Al88Y6Fe6 alloys in the temperature range of 200 to 300 °C improved the magnetic properties and corrosion resistance of these materials. After 3,600 s, the better EOCP values were recorded for the Al88Y6Fe6 and Al88Y7Fe5 alloys after annealing at 300 °C and 200 °C, adequately. On the basis of the polarization tests, it was concluded that the electrochemical properties are better for Al88Y6Fe6 alloys after annealing at 300 °C.