International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

This work presents an overview of sol–gel-derived oxide materials and their relevance to optical, photonic and photovoltaic applications, followed by an experimental study of ZrO₂–Al₂O₃–Sm₂O₃ thin films deposited on glass substrates. Historical developments of the sol–gel process, beginning with early investigations on silica gels in the 19th century, are outlined together with advancements in optical glasses, anti-reflective coatings, and rare-earth-doped systems. Recent progress in functional materials—including boron-, tellurium- and rare-earth-containing glasses, luminescent oxide systems, and sol–gel-derived zirconia-based coatings—is discussed to highlight their structural, optical and radiation-shielding capabilities.
In the present study, multilayer ZrO₂–Al₂O₃–Sm₂O₃ coatings were prepared via the sol–gel method combined with dip-coating, and subsequently thermally treated at 420 °C. Optical characterization (UV–VIS–NIR) revealed changes in transmittance and reflectance linked to film composition and thickness, while X-ray diffraction confirmed their predominantly amorphous structure at the applied heat-treatment temperature. SEM and EDS analyses provided insight into surface morphology and elemental distribution within the films. The results demonstrate that increasing Al₂O₃ content influences coating porosity and thickness, while Sm₂O₃ contributes luminescent functionality and potential reduction of optical reflection in key solar spectral regions. These findings indicate that ZrO₂–Al₂O₃–Sm₂O₃ thin films are promising candidates for protective and functional coatings in photovoltaic applications, where enhanced light harvesting and improved surface properties are essential.

Corrosion remains a major limitation for the long-term use of aluminum alloys such as A356, particularly in chloride-rich environments. Although traditional chromate coatings provide effective protection, their toxicity necessitates environmentally friendly alternatives. In this study, a composite ZrO2–Al2O3–Sm2O3 coating was synthesized via a sol-gel method and deposited on A356 alloy using dip-coating. The precursor system was formulated from zirconyl chloride, samarium oxide, and aluminum oxide, stabilized with acetylacetone and acetic acid at pH 0.5 to ensure homogeneous film formation. The coated samples were thermally treated at 400 °C to obtain dense oxide layers. Corrosion resistance was assessed under neutral salt spray conditions (5% NaCl, 35 °C, 648 h) according to BDS EN ISO 9227:2023. Comparison between uncoated A356, binary Al–Zr (ADZ), and ternary Sm–Al–Zr (SADZ) coatings demonstrated a clear performance improvement with increasing film complexity. While ADZ coatings reduced surface damage relative to the bare alloy, the SADZ films exhibited the lowest amount of corrosion products, minimal surface darkening, and significantly reduced pitting. The enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of the three oxides: ZrO₂ provides chemical stability, Al2O3 increases layer density, and Sm₂O₃ contributes active corrosion inhibition.
Overall, the ZrO2–Al2O3–Sm2O3 composite film offers a promising non-chromate protective system for improving the long-term corrosion resistance of A356 aluminum alloy.

Pipe products with a triangular cross-section of the hole have been manufactured. These products have found effective application in welding equipment for the manufacture of contact current-carrying nozzles, guide tips, etc., used in welding in a protective gas environment and in submerged arc welding. In addition, the qualities of the nozzles have been studied in laboratory and production conditions on the basis of manufactured pilot batches. The conducted studies of the quality characteristics of the new class of nozzles showed that those with a triangular cross-section of the hole guarantee increased quality of the welding process and the weld seam, as their service life is 30%÷60% longer compared to the durability of conventional nozzles with a round hole.

Thin coatings of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and samarium oxide (Sm2O3) on aluminum alloy Al7SiMg (A356) were prepared by sol-gel method and immersion technique. The materials were characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction. The luminescent properties at room temperature were also investigated. Luminescence analysis showed that the Al2O3 coating containing ZrO2 exhibits broad excitation and emission bands, peaking at 328 nm and 392 nm, respectively. Photoluminescence data for the Al2O3 coating containing ZrO2 and Sm2O3 indicated effective excitation at 404 nm and strong broadband emission, which is due to the co-emission of ZrO2 and Sm2O3. Chromaticity coordinate analysis revealed that Al2O3 coating containing ZrO2 and Al2O3 coating containing ZrO2 and Sm₂ O₃ emit in the blue-purple and pale pink regions, respectively.The chromaticity coordinates, color purity and CIE (Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage) color-correlated temperature were determined.

The latest version of MAGMASOFT software package – MAGMA6.1 is used to simulate and optimize a casting formation. The alloy AlSi7Mg was used for this purpose. The casting is intended for the production of a wire connector for high voltage power transmission networks. Die casting method is used. The results obtained from the stimulation of pouring and crystallization of the casting are presented. Based on the located defects and the analysis performed, changes of the technology were made, which ultimately ensure the formation of a defect-free and soundness casting.

This paper presents a methodology and an application presented by the authors in previous publications. The application is integrated into SolidWorks and it’s used to automate the design process of modular fixturing devices. Included in it is a methodology for automated determination of the positions of the clamping elements. Both the application and the methodology are using rule-based logic and mathematical formulas.

A summary study of the development of solar energy and the main factors determining the productivity of photovoltaic systems has been carried out. The predominant surface contaminants of solar panels, reducing the efficiency of photovoltaic installations, and the existing different design types of cleaning systems for their effective removal are examined. The main trends in the development of singlelayer and multi-layer hydrophobic and other oxide coatings with diverse performance indicators suitable for solar panels are traced. In laboratory conditions, experimental self-cleaning coatings (based on compositions with the participation of Y2O3 and ZrO2) deposited by the sol-gel method on vitreous samples were obtained. The structure and morphology of the prepared thin films and the technological conditions for the deposition of nanoscale layers with different functional characteristics were investigated. The experimental results represent a prerequisite for the development of a series of additional compositions and a detailed technological regime for obtaining various modifications of resistant, long-lasting self-cleaning coatings, potentially applicable to photovoltaic panels.

Thin films deposited on glass substrates by sol-gel containing ZrO2 show photocatalytic activity, which are compared with TiO2 – which is used as a standard photocatalytic material applied in photovoltaics. By modifying ZrO2, coatings on glass surfaces were obtained, which are characterized by high properties, which are a prerequisite for use in photovoltaics. The coatings are dense and nanocrystal line according to SEM and XRD studies and optically transparent according to UV-VIS-NIR spectra

A methodology has been developed for obtaining of porous castings from Al and aluminum A356 alloy. The methodology includes introduction of Ca into the melt for viscosity increasing and homogenization by mechanical stirring. This is followed by addition of TiH2, homogenization, subsequent formation of the porous structure and crystallization. Tests were carried out on specimens of the castings involving abrasive wearing under dry friction conditions on a surface with hard-attached abrasive particles.

An analysis of the prospects for the development of FDM printing technology has been carried out. The paper studies the possibility of obtaining polymer products based on polyamide 6 and its compositions by layer-by-layer deposition. Tests of the strength indicators of the printed experimental products were carried out. The mechanism of the influence of the composition and modes of formation of printed products on their strength characteristics is proposed. The influence of the composition of the composite polymer material based on PA6 on the quality of printing products has been studied. Methods for controlling the shrinkage parameters of products obtained by
layer-by-layer deposition are proposed. The obtained results of the study can be used in the development of composites for the production of polymer filament to ensure the process of FDM printing of polymer products, including for the needs of mechanical engineering.

The object of research – the natural glycoalkaloid solanine as a possible inhibitor of acid corrosion of steel St3. Modern data on the structure and physico-chemical properties of solanine, such as amphiphilicity, surface activity, basicity, characteristic of modern organic corrosion inhibitors, are presented. The basic concepts are defined: basic nitrogen, solanine amphiphilicity, mass and volume corrosion indicators, corrosion inhibitor, degree of protection, corrosion inhibition coefficient. The literature data on the corrosive activity of lactic acid (MC) are presented and characterized.

Four types of aluminium alloys (two casting and two plastically deformable) were used in the present study. A special press mould for compacting the aluminium alloy chips and subsequent extrusion of the resulting compacts was designed and manufactured. The compressive strength of the obtained samples was investigated, in relation to their chemical composition and technological parameters during their fabrication. The results of the research are presented in tabular and graphic form. It was established that compacted samples from AW-6082, AC-48000 and AW-2024 alloy possess high compression strength (in the range of 766 – 866 MPa) under compression loading at 60% deformation. It seems that the extrusion process improves compression properties of AW-2024 and AC-48000 alloy but has negative effect on AW-6082 and AC-42000.