The process of electrochemical synthesis of nanosized neodymium (praseodymium) hexaboride and three-component Pr (Nd)x–Fe (Ni, Co)y–Bz com- pound powders from chloride-fluoride melts has been developed. The composition of produced powders is examined by X-ray phase analysis, and particle sizes are measured by laser diffraction analysis. The dependence of powder phase composition on temperature, component relation, current density, and electrolysis potential is established. The optimum conditions of the process of producing nanosized neodymium and praseodymium bo- rides and ternary Nd1,1Fe4B4 compound powders are found. 

The sintering kinetics has been studied and the sintering activation energies of finely divided iron powders and mechanically alloyed mixture of "iron – 0,5 % C – 5,6 % ferrophosphorus" have been calculated. Dislocation density calculated by the X-ray phase analysis and microscopic metallog- raphy increases up to 1011 cm–2; and the dislocation ordering process in the finely divided iron powders and mechanically alloyed mixture is found when milling time increases. Based on the porosity values, which vary in time of isothermal sintering at 900–1100 °C of powders finely divided for different times, Ivensen equation coefficients, sintering activation energy, and structural defect concentration being in evidence in the beginning of isothermal sintering are calculated. The results show the formation of dislocation structure with high density of thermally unstable dislocations to activate sintering slightly in the course of milling; the structural defects created in forming the solid solution during mechanical alloying and hetero- diffusion affect the sintering activation much more. 

The work is devoted to the investigation of the effect of mechanical activation (MA) on the kinetics and mechanism of reaction mixture combustion in the Mo–Si–B ternary system as well as ceramic material production by the SHS method. Elemental molybdenum, silicon, and boron powders were used as initial components. The mechanical activation was carried out in a planetary mill. MA regimes with maximum heat release amount and rate were determined. As a result, the MA increases heat release rate and the reactive capability of the mixture at the cost of reagent size reduction, re- duction of coherent-scattering regions, and increase in the density of structural defects and dislocations. In contrast to inactivated mixtures, the ini- tial temperature dependence of combustion temperature and rate are linear for MA mixtures. The quantitative estimate of MA contribution into the effective activation energy (Eeff ) of the combustion process is carried out. 

The processes of structure and diffusion SHS-layer formation have been investigated at the surface of high-carbon materials. High-carbon ma- terials of АСЧ-1 grade (GOST 1585-85), СЧ-20, СЧ-25 (GOST 805-95), ВЧ 45-5, ВЧ 38-17, ВЧ 42-12 (DSTU 3925-99), composition materials of УУКМ grade on the basis of «Урал НШ-215» carbon fabric, and ЭГ electrode graphite have been selected for the investigation. The microstructure of work-hardened layers was studied with «Neophot-21» light microscope. The phase analysis was carried out with MS-46 X-ray microanalyzer and ME 76 electronic microscope equipped with an add-on unit. Heat-resistance tests were carried out under GOST 6130-71, adhesion strength test with the conical indenter pressing-in method, wear resistance under GOST 23.224-86, and corrosion resistance by measurement of sample mass before and after test. «ASTRA» software package was used for calculation of the equilibrium composition of the products. 

The effect of strength properties of cobalt binder and tungsten carbide grains on the operational characteristics of carbide drilling bits has been in- vestigated. The results were used for development of new grades of hard alloys based on high-temperature tungsten carbides: BK6C, BK10C, BK15C and BK15K. Application of the given alloys in the manufacture of bits is established to afford the opportunity to increase of mechanical drilling rate at the cost of using the bits of more aggressive design. New grades of alloys are shown to allow increasing the life of tool inventory. 

Some results are described concerning the development of composite material based on sintered aluminum powder containing small additives of Al2O3 nanoparticles produced by plasma-chemical method. The reasons of using small nanoparticle concentrations from the point of view of the role of inter- phase layer, Orowan hardening mechanism, etc. are given. Some properties and the microstructure of produced alumina-composites with various con- tent of nanoparticles are presented. According to the known laws, the Orowan strain is calculated for investigated composites as one of possible con- tributions to the increase in material strength. 

The regularities of metallurgical reactions of IV-VI group transition metal alloyed titanium carbide with nickel melt are generalized. Interaction of dou- ble carbides with nickel is established to be characterized by primary dissolution of carbon and alloying metal in it. Accordingly the carbide phase composition varies. The efficiency of effect of alloying elements on titanium carbide dissolution rate in nickel depends on the atomic dimensional re- lationship of titanium and alloying metal. If RMe> RTi (Me = Zr, Hf ), the intensity of titanium carbide interaction with nickel increases; if RMe ≤ RTi (Me = V, Nb, Mo, W), then it decreases. In the first case the defining factor is the increase in elastic strain energy of the lattice; in the second case – the decrease of interphase energy of the carbide-melt interface. 

The experimental results concerning the effect of intense pulsed electron irradiation (IPEI) conditions on the ablation kinetics of the surface lay- ers of compressor blades made of ЭП866Ш steel and gas turbine engine blades from ЖС26НК with NiCrAlY protective coating. IPEI of microsec- ond duration is shown to be high effective tool for repair of the compressor and turbine blades. Application of IPEI beam allows one to ablate per a pulse the surface layers, the thickness of which is 5–10 μm and which are fractured during the operation of turbine blades if the energy densi- ty is 50–55 J/cm2. The thickness of the ablated surface layers of compressor blades made of ЭП866Ш steel during a pulse at the energy density of 48–50 J/cm2 is equal to 7 μm. 

Structure formation has been investigated in the surface layer of steel 20 after overlaying laser welding of H13 grade steel (analog of 4Х5МФ1С) in LENS 850-R plant with 1kW laser according to several typical schematics. The effect of overlaying process on the formation of heterogeneous structure and hardness across the layers of laser welding has been investigated. Metallographic, spectral and X-ray crystallography were applied. X-ray diffraction analysis showed considerable changes of the chemical composition of the layers is shown in comparison with the chemical com- position of initial H13 steel. Heat treatment of the overlaying metal at 650 °C and 750 °C leads to structure leveling and reduction of hardness. The factors affecting the formation of complex structures and changes in hardness for all types of overlaying metal are found. 

The effect of energy density and pulse number of compression plasma flow (CPF) and high-current electron beams (HCEB) treatments on melting depth and microstructure of modified layer of T15K6 hard alloy has been investigated. The method of computerized modeling of heat transmis- sion during such high-powered impacts on hard alloy considering the volume ratio of alloy components, change of their thermophysical proper- ties with a rise in temperature, difference in pulse form, and corresponding spatial energy-release is proposed. The comparison of calculated depth of alloy components fusion for HCEB and CPF with experimental data in the energy density interval of 30–50 J/cm2 shows their good correction. The interrelationship of HCEB and CPF heat effect peculiarities with melting depth and microstructure of modified T15K6 hard alloy layer is found. 

An opportunity of obtaining protective Ti–N coatings on plain steel treated by low pressure arc with the graphite anode has been considered. The morphology and structure of the coatings has been studied. The phase composition of films has been examined. Physicomechanical performances of precipitated coatings are determined. The obtained data testify of the necessity for coating deposition in the vacuum cycle, which is common with cleaning at the substructure temperature no less than half of its melting temperature. 

An opportunity of metal product surface nanostructure formation with flexible tool (rotating wire brushes) has been examined. It is established that at certain surface processing conditions a thin amorphized layer evolves and the most acute in surface layers texture is formed. Function coatings of different function with width of 3–5 ÷ 40–45 μm can be applied simultaneously with surface layer hardening with rotating wire brush.