In order to determine the leading phase of the Fe - 4.25% C eutectic alloy, the method of directional crystallization, which allows to study the character of the solid / liquid growth front, was used. Examined eutectic was directionally solidified with a constant temperature gradient of G = 33,5 K/mm and growth rate of v = 125 μm/s (450 mm/h). The Bridgman technique was used for the solidification process. The sample was grown by pulling it downwards up to 30 mm in length. The alloy quenched by rapid pulling down into the Ga-In-Sn liquid metal. The sample was examined on the longitudinal section using a light microscope and scanning electron microscope. The shape of the solid/liquid interface and particularly the leading phase protrusion were revealed. The formation of the concave – convex interface has been identified in the quasi-regular eutectic growth arrested by quenching. The cementite phase was determined to be a leading phase. The total protrusion d is marked in the adequate figure.

In this study, the effect of rolling of 1.25Cr-1Mo-0.5V-0.3C American Iron and Steel Institute 4340 modified steel for highspeed railway brake discs on the microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. The materials were hot-rolled at 0%, 51%, and 66% reduction ratios, and then analyzed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD). needle-shaped ferrite block morphology in bainite varied with the rolling ratio. EBSD analysis reveals dynamic recovery and dynamic recrystallization, affected ferrite block boundaries and dislocation densities during rolling. Mechanical tests showed that hardness, toughness and elongation increase at higher rolling reduction ratio, while strength remained relatively constant. In particular, the impact toughness increased almost twice from the level of 70 J in S1 (0% reduction) to the level of 130 J in S3 (66% reduction). These results showed that the hot rolling can significantly improve the strength and toughness combination of cast brake discs material.

The paper deals with the basic set-up of single-frequency microchip laser - so called Lyot filter configuration. Description of its operation and practical realization is given. Some results obtained for Nd:YAG/KTP microchip laser are presented. The evidences of single-frequency operation and its limits are emphasized. Described construction constitutes the base for building the frequency stabilization of green 532 nm microchip laser.