Lead, in comparison with other metals, has low chemical activity and high corrosion resistance. Complex alloying of lead with antimony, tellurium and copper in optimal concentrations made it possible to obtain highly effective alloys for protective cable sheaths. Pb – Sb – Cu – Te lead alloy provides the cable sheath with high resistance to fatigue, creep and active deformation in a wide temperature range, as well as good manufacturability. The basis for such a complex of positive characteristics is a specific fine-grained thermostable structure, which determines the stability of properties in operation. Alloys of this composition are at the level of world standards: they have the best complex of operational and technological characteristics compared to the most promising domestic and foreign analogues. In the work, the heat capacity of the alloys of the Rb – Te system was determined in the "cooling" mode by the known heat capacity of a reference sample made of copper grade M00. Polynomials describing the temperature dependence of the heat capacity and changes in the thermodynamic functions of alloys are obtained. It is found that with increasing temperature and tellurium content, the heat capacity, enthalpy and entropy of lead increase slightly, and the Gibbs energy values decrease.

The presented work presents the results of molecular dynamics modeling of changes in the surface layer of the computational cell under a short-term high-energy impact. Interest in this topic is because the processes occurring in the surface layer, which is in a liquid state, will subsequently have an impact during its crystallization, and, as a result, will affect various physical and geometric characteristics of the surface of the material as a whole. The model constructed and described in the work, in which the temperature of the computational cell is distributed in accordance with the solution of the linear problem of heat conduction, made it possible to reveal the discontinuity of the surface layer, which consists in the localization of excess free volume in the form of a group of spherical pores. The sizes of these imperfections, as well as the duration of their existence, have differences when modeling different energy densities of laser radiation. Further research made it possible to reveal the conditions under which the pores remain stable throughout the entire simulation time, as well as to reveal the relationship between the crystallographic orientation of the “solid-liquid” interface and the sizes of the formed pores.

Group training in general secondary education, secondary and higher specialized educational institutions involves the transfer of knowledge and the development of skills, with an orientation to the "average" according to the abilities of the student. At the same time, achieving such a level of training as "skills" is, in principle, impossible. The level of skills requires, as a rule, individual training with the use of various kinds of teaching and training systems together with the method of iterative learning. The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and the transition to distance learning have intensified the development of information and communication technologies (ICT) for teaching without the presence of a teacher. All this determines the relevance of the development of an automatic training system based on an expert system that ensures, in the absence of a teacher, the achievement of the maximum for each student, depending on his intelligence, the required level of training. In this paper, the structure of an automatic learning system is proposed, which ensures the assimilation of educational material to a given level of learning without the participation of a teacher. Using the example of using such a system for training operators of an arc steelmaking furnace, the work of the system elements is shown: the object simulator model, the trainee error analysis blocks, the synthesis of training information, as well as database and knowledge functions. The issues of obtaining and formalizing the knowledge of expert teachers are considered separately. Examples of the formation of knowledge frames for the training of chipboard steelworkers are given. For example, to teach the process of mixing an electric steelmaking process, 81 frames of information are needed, providing educational comments for all kinds of mistakes of the trainees. Conclusions were drawn based on the results of the work.

On the basis of computer modeling and machine learning methods, an algorithm for preparing and training data taken from technological databases and journals for the preparation of raw materials for coke production was compiled. After statistical analysis, conclusions were drawn, which were accepted in production for implementation. In a continuous production process, the ability to timely detect defects in equipment and logistics directly affects the economic effect. Any field in the modern world tends to develop artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. Novokuznetsk enterprises, including metallurgical ones, are also actively developing robots - prompters and systems for predicting product quality. Artificial intelligence is concerned with the task of using computers to understand human intelligence. This is an important direction in the construction of human-like systems. At this stage in the development of machine learning, a number of algorithms and software systems began to be attributed to it, the distinguishing feature of which is that they can solve some problems in the same way as a person thinking about their solution would do. But with respect to actively developing information technology systems, metallurgical processes live much longer, so finding solutions to combine the knowledge and experience of technologists and artificial intelligence is a difficult but interesting task for finding possible problems in production. Identification of abnormal deviations helps to avoid unplanned downtime, and, accordingly, avoid economic losses. This article is a demonstration of the path that has been taken to combine information technologies in the field of artificial intelligence and metallurgy, namely the production of coking coal, based on the technological indicators of coke production.

The process of information dissemination among social network agents for the purpose of verification, evaluation and accuracy of the developed model is considered. The constructed model of the social network makes it possible to conduct a study of the dissemination of information taking into account the psychophysiological characteristics of the agent. The coefficients of receiving and transmitting information used in the model depend on the type of personality and are determined based on the analysis of various objects of activity of each type of personality. The source of information is one of the participants of the experiment, which is transmitted to the "inner circle" of agents. The software module of the social network model is implemented. The module allows you to conduct research on the dissemination of information, taking into account the psychophysiological characteristics of the agent. The software module has an intuitive interface, allows you to set the initial conditions of the experiment and display the results in a user-friendly form. To check the adequacy of the model, a series of field experiments were conducted. The participants who took part in the experiment, before it began, underwent a questionnaire procedure in order to establish their typological spectrum of personality using the technique of multivariate personality typing. The results of infecting network participants with information at each step of the experiment are shown.

The structural-phase state and the metal fracture surface of 09G2S steel welds made using new welding materials based on technogenic raw materials of metallurgical production (silica manganese slag and aluminum electrofilter dust) were studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy methods. The production of welded joints was carried out in laboratory conditions using welding wire of the Sv-08GA brand on the equipment of the scientific and production center "Welding Processes and Technologies" of SibSIU. Quantitative analysis of the parameters of the structure and dislocation substructure of the weld metal was performed, using the equipment of the Institute of High-current Electronics SB RAS (Tomsk). The contributions of scalar and excessive dislocation density to the strength of the weld metal are estimated. It is established that the main metal phase of the studied welds (regardless of the introduction of the additive) is a solid solution based on α-iron (ferrite, BCC crystal lattice, α-phase). In addition to α-iron, particles of iron carbide (cementite) and (mainly in the sample without additives) iron silicide of the composition Fe3S are present in the weld metal. Analyzing electron microscopic images of the structure of the weld metal, it was noticed that the narrowest contours are formed at the interfacial boundaries of the inclusion – matrix. Such inclusions detected by transmission electron microscopy methods may be cementite particles located in the volume and at the boundaries of ferrite grains, and iron silicide particles of rounded (spherical) shape located in the volume of ferrite grains. It is revealed that the inclusions of the second phase present in the weld metal are stress concentrators and can be centers of microcrack nucleation under mechanical action on the material.

The results of studies of the VK10KS hard alloy after various surface treatments (using concentrated energy flows) are presented. The TiN + ZrN ion-plasma coating from separate titanium and zirconium cathodes was applied using the Kvant-6 installation. The zirconium alloy cathode was located in a chamber between two titanium alloy cathodes. Metallographically, after applying an ion-plasma coating of TiN + ZrN composition, a poorly etched layer with a thickness of 15 microns consisting of microlayers was revealed. The two phases (TiN and ZrN) found in the diffractograms in the coating confirm the micro-thickness of its structure, which will help to increase the adhesion of the coating itself with a carbide base. The boundary between the micro-layers of the coating will inhibit the growth of the crack. It was found that the introduction of zirconium TiN compound into the coating leads to an increase in nanohardness by 23% (up to 39 GPa). Electric spark treatment was carried out on the UR – 121 installation. It consists of erosion of the hardening electrode during spark discharge. At the same time, the erosion products are transferred to the part. A hard alloy VK6-OHM was used as the electrode. X-ray phase analysis revealed the presence on the surface of the hard alloy VK10KS of a newly formed phase with high hardness (divolfram carbide W₂C), which has a hardness greater than that of tungsten monocarbide WC. Nanoindentation of the VK10KS alloy after electric spark treatment showed an increase in surface hardness up to 22 GPa. A hardened surface layer consisting of titanium diboride TiB₂, carbides TiC, W2C with a nanohardness of 28 GPa was obtained by electroexplosive alloying (EVL) with titanium and boron on a hard alloy VK10KS. The essence of EVL is the accumulation of energy by a battery of pulse capacitors up to 10 kJ and its subsequent discharge within 100 microseconds through a conductor that experiences explosive destruction. At the same time, the treated surface is heated and saturated with explosion products, followed by self-quenching due to heat removal into the environment and deep into the material.

Based on the conducted research, a list of technological parameters of steelmaking and rolling processing that have a significant impact on the impact resistance of grinding balls from the rejection of K76F grade rail steel in the conditions of JSC "Guryev Metallurgical Plant" has been determined. Using standard methods of statistical and metallographic analyses, the degree and nature of the influence of these parameters on the rejection of grinding balls based on the results of copra tests has been established. It is determined that an increase in the content of carbon, hydrogen and sulfur in steel leads to an increase in the rejection of grinding balls according to the results of impact resistance tests. At the same time, the influence of carbon is associated with the formation of cementite–type carbides when the carbon content increases to over-eutectoid values, the influence of hydrogen is associated with the formation of floccenes, and the influence of sulfur is associated with the formation of non-plastic sulfides. According to the rolling conversion, a significant effect of an increase in the temperature of rolling balls on an increase in their impact resistance was established, due to an increase in the plasticity of K76F steel in the actual rolling temperature range (an increase in the probability of defects brewing during deformation). It is determined that the total relative degree of influence of the parameters of steelmaking and rolling processing on the rejection of balls during impact resistance tests is 71%, the remaining 29% relate to the influence of the parameters of the heat treatment of balls, which is confirmed by the results of metallographic studies (quenching cracks were detected in the fracture of the balls).

The formation of functional gradient Cu/Al materials with a continuous intermetallic surface layer by electron beam additive manufacturing is associated with the formation of a number of inhomogeneities and defects in the structure. The main obstacles to obtaining stable and defect-free FGM structures on the surface of the copper base are the difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion of copper and aluminum at the boundary with the formation of intermediates, cracks and delaminations. The formation of a smooth gradient from copper to intermetallic Cu/Al layers allows to avoid the formation of cracks and delaminations. In the work, defect-free functional gradient Cu/Al materials with different gradient zone widths were obtained using electron beam additive technology. The structural-phase state and mechanical properties of FGM Cu/Al over the entire height of the printed material are investigated. It is established that the Cu/Al gradient zone of FGM consists of the phases α-Cu, Cu₄Al, Cu₃Al and Cu₉Al₄. It is established that the width of the gradient zone affects the volume fraction of CuxAly intermetallic phases, which, in turn, determine the magnitude of the elongation at a constant value of the tensile strength (305 ± 10 MPa). The microhardness values increase sharply in the gradient zone and have an uneven distribution due to the formation of Cu4Al, Cu3Al and Cu9Al4 intermetallides. It is shown that the upper part of the Cu/Al FGM, consisting of 67 % Cu and 33 % Al (vol.), demonstrates a sharp drop in mechanical properties, which is probably due to the formation of the Cu9Al4 phase, the volume fraction of which prevails compared to other intermetallic phases of the Cu_xAl_y system.

Carburization of the surfaces of steel castings obtained by casting according to gasified models is one of the main and most significant problems of using this casting method. In the work, experiments were carried out to reduce carbon liquation in castings made of 20GL steel with a wall thickness of 15 mm by carrying out heat treatment (normalization) in two modes, and the influence of the FIL-1 modifier (Russia) on the structure of castings was evaluated. The structures were examined before and after heat treatment. It was found that before the heat treatment, samples made of 20GL steel without a modifier have the largest carbonized layer (up to 2 mm), whereas in samples with a modifier this indicator does not exceed 0.8 mm. The optimal heat treatment mode for modified samples was established (normalization at a temperature of 950 °C and holding for 1 hour), leading to the distribution of carbon from the carbonized surface of the samples over their entire cross section, refining of the structure and its transition to an equilibrium state.

The Ti/TiB metal-matrix composite was obtained by spark plasma sintering at a temperature of 1000 °C. In the initial state, the Ti/TiB MMC microstructure consisted of TiB needle fibers unevenly distributed in the titanium matrix. SEM showed that the apparent diameter of the TiB fibers varied over a wide range: from tens to several hundreds of nanometers. The average TiB fiber diameter in the initial state is 163 ± 35 nm. Hot rolling caused the fragmented TiB fiber particles to align in the rolling direction. The apparent average length of the TiB fibers decreased from 8 ± 4 to 3.0 ± 1.2 μm, probably as a result of fiber breakage during deformation. It has been established that after hot rolling the composite has an increased yield strength and significantly improved ductility compared to the initial state: the hot-rolled sample failed at a compressive strain of 25 %, while the ductility for the initial state was 12 %. The yield strength was 930 and 1200 MPa for the initial and hot-rolled states. The predicted theoretical strength, calculated by summing the contribution of all hardening mechanisms, is 1946 MPa, which is higher than the experimental value of 1200 MPa. Dispersion strengthening by fragments of TiB fibers makes the most significant contribution to the overall strength of the composite (934 MPa or 50 %).

This article presents the results of a study of the properties of the electroerosive charge obtained from the waste of lead-tin bronze BrO5C25, in particular, the influence of the chemical composition of the dispersion medium on the elemental and phase composition of the resulting electroerosive particles is evaluated. It has been established that when carrying out experiments on obtaining a charge in an oxygen-containing liquid (distilled water), a part of oxygen is present on the surface of the obtained particles. According to the results of the experiment, it was found that the main elements in the charge obtained by the method of electroerosive dispersion of BrO5C25 lead bronze waste in distilled water are oxygen, copper, tin, zinc and lead. The remaining elements are distributed relatively evenly in the mixture. Based on the performed X-ray diffraction microanalysis, it was found that the main phases in the charge obtained in distilled water are Cu, Pb(Cu₂O₂), Pb₅O₈, Pb, Sn. When carrying out experiments to obtain a charge in a carbon-containing liquid (illuminating kerosene), a part of carbon is present on the surface of the obtained particles. According to the results of the experiment, it was found that the main elements in the charge obtained by the method of electroerosive dispersion of lead bronze waste BrO5C25 in lighting kerosene are carbon, copper, tin, zinc and lead. The remaining elements are distributed relatively evenly in the charge. Based on the performed X-ray diffraction microanalysis, it was found that there are no carbide-forming elements in the alloy. The main phases in the charge obtained in lighting kerosene are also Cu, Pb(Cu₂O₂), Pb₅O₈, Pb, Sn. Thus, the influence of the dispersion medium on the elemental and phase composition of the electroerosive charge of lead-tin bronze BrO5C25 has been established.

Rails are the most important element of the superstructure of the railway track. To increase the smoothness of the ride, reduce dynamic loads at the junctions of the rails, contact welding of rails in a whip in stationary conditions and aluminothermic welding directly on the way are becoming more common. Despite the improvement in the quality of the joints, the zone of welded joints, due to a change in the structure due to the physical processes of welding and heat treatment, is still a place with lower mechanical characteristics compared to the metal of solid-rolled rails. The development of defects in welded butt joints is one of the main reasons for removing rails from service. An important component of ensuring the quality of rails and welded joints is the formation of a favorable diagram of residual stresses. In order to assess the effect of induction heating and hardening, a study was made of the distribution of residual stresses before and after heat treatment of the welded joint, full-profile samples of R65 type rails of the DT350 category of steel grade E76HF, the current production of EVRAZ ZSMK JSC. It has been established that compressive residual stresses predominate in the rail head both before and after heat treatment, heating reduces the overall stress level to the level of 210–264 MPa, the maximum compressive stress level equal to 586 MPa is fixed at joint No. 224, after hardening heat treatment. Tensile stresses predominate in the neck of the rail, a sharp increase in stresses after hardening heat treatment was noted, the stress level increased more than three times, from 68 MPa to 254 MPa. After heating the welded joint, a slight decrease in residual stresses in this area is observed. Compressive stresses are recorded in the rail sole, with identical diagram, regardless of heat treatment. A minimum of stress is fixed in the center of the sole, with a subsequent increase towards the edge of the feather. The greatest difference was recorded after hardening heat treatment, from 57 MPa to 537 MPa, respectively.

The article presents the results of the analysis of the characteristics of sintered products made of chromium-containing electroerosive powders. One of the main directions of the development of mechanical engineering technology at present is the improvement of existing and the development of new waste-free, environmentally friendly, material-saving production processes. Powder metallurgy plays a certain role in solving this problem. In recent years, much attention has been paid to the development of methods for the manufacture of high-density powder materials For the implementation of the planned studies, waste chromium-containing steels SHX15 and H13 have been selected. Powder materials were obtained by electrical erosion at the electro-erosive dispersion unit developed by the authors. Butyl alcohol was chosen as the working medium of dispersion. The powder was consolidated by the spark plasma sintering method using the spark plasma sintering system SPS 25-10 (Thermal Technology, USA). It is established that the microhardness of the sintered steel sample SHH15 is equal to 154 HV. The microhardness of the sintered steel sample H13 is equal to 461 HV. It was found that the porosity of the sintered steel sample H13 is equal to 3.34 %, and also that 95 % of the pores have a size of up to 2 microns. The porosity of the sintered steel sample SHH15 is 1.72 %, and also that 90 % of the pores have a size of up to 1 microns. According to the results of the research, it was found that the microhardness of the sintered sample made of steel SHH15 is lower than that of the sample made of steel H13. The porosity of a sample made of steel SHH15 is lower than that of a sample made of steel H13. Therefore, it can be concluded that sintered products made of powder material sta-li H13 have a harder surface and can be used in the production of small loaded parts.

In the coal, oil and gas industry, drilling rods are an essential tool. They are designed to transmit torque and axial force from the rotator of a drilling rig to a mechanical drilling tool, as well as to transmit high-pressure water-cement slurry. The low quality of the considered design can lead to accidents at hazardous production facilities and to human casualties.

Currently the perception of charity and charitable foundations is through the prism of donations in the form of alms. It is believed that the resource potential of a charitable foundation can be formed only if there are donations made by many people. In fact, the financial stability of a charitable foundation cannot be ensured only by one-time donations from compassionate citizens. Therefore, the development of a model for stimulating the managed subsystem of the BF, the application of which will ensure an increase in the resource potential of the fund, is an urgent area of research. The article defines the concept of "resource potential of a charitable foundation", presents its structure. The main conditions for the accumulation of financial resources of a charitable foundation are identified from the standpoint of market relations with donors. A mathematical model has been developed for the formation of the resource potential of a charitable foundation, based on the choice of a rolling system for accumulating financial flows.

Climate change, in terms of the probability of occurrence and the expected amount of losses, is one of the most significant risks threatening the world, both at present and in the coming decades [1]. The article discusses the fundamental agreements of the world community aimed at combating climate change, instruments and standards for accounting for greenhouse gas emissions and the implementation of climate projects. Actions of the European Union and Russia aimed at reducing the anthropogenic impact of production on climate change.

The studied economic category "quality of labor force" is marked by the index of global competitiveness of an individual state in the general world situation. As a matter of fact, the quality of the workforce determines the rating of economic viability, along with general factors: public finance management, inflation rate, measures to protect intellectual property rights, a developed judicial system, and more. The quality of the labor force reflects the level differentiation depending on the means of production and represents a set of qualification and personal properties manifested directly in the labor process, broadly covering the professional, physiological and socio-psychological basis of the employee, his adaptive skills as a continuously developing subject of social and labor relations. The improvement of the quality of the workforce correlates with the improvement of the characteristics of its structural elements: natural, acquired and socially significant indicators in the course of performing a certain professional activity. "The quality of labor force" is derived from "labor force", which dualistically reflects the goods in the hands of the worker – the carrier of competencies and capital – having a price after the owner sells the result of labor produced by the worker. The definition under discussion is a dynamic, actively growing economic category that is being transformed due to the development and formation of the qualification skills of the employee, his readiness for these processes in the conditions created by the employer. The development of the quality of the workforce is an indicator of socio–economic, political processes, leading trends in the development of society that affect the labor market. The core of the increase in the quality of the workforce in the conditions of an informational and highly developed technological society with obvious signs of artificial intelligence are creativity, sociability, acceptance of large-scale changes, readiness for education throughout the trajectory of its professional path, the formation of the necessary competencies "ahead of the curve", polyprofessionalism, tolerance to stress and uncertainty in the conditions of multiple environmental challenges. 

On November 26, 2022, the member of the editorial board of the journal Viktor Evgenievich Gromov turned 75 years old. He is a well-known metal physicist in Russia and abroad, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Honorary Metallurgist of the Russian Federation, member of the Interstate Council on Physics of Strength and Plasticity of Materials, member of the Scientific Council of the Russian Academy of Sciences on Condensed Matter Physics, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Natural Sciences named after Professor V.M. Finkel of the Siberian State Industrial University. Viktor Evgenievich Gromov is registered in the Federal Register of Experts in the Scientific and Technical Sphere of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Russian Academy of Sciences, he is a member of the editorial boards of five journals from the HAC list.