The paper analyzes application of anti-friction and anti-wear agents to reduce friction in metallurgical and power machines, highlights the most characteristic results of using geo-modifiers (friction modifiers with hydrosilicates) as anti-friction and anti-wear lubricants. It was found that extraneous noise disappears with a positive result and the peak and root-mean-square values of vibration acceleration in the bearings of electric motors decrease; the service life of the bronze bearings in breast rolls of the roll mill stands increases by a factor of 2.5–3, while maintaining the integrity of the bearing journals; elimination of jamming and improvement of the condition of worn surfaces with traces of abrasive and pitting wear; an increase in the resource of bronze bushings of the shaft of the cold cutting machine is achieved; compression of the internal combustion engines of a diesel locomotive increases by 15–20%; current load in the drive motor of the straightening machine reduces up to 30%; service life of bronze inserts of spindles in blooming mills increases; wear of the bronze nuts of the ejection mechanisms in stripper cranes and slideways for hot shears of blooming mills stops for 3–6 months.

Criteria for evaluating energy costs used in cutting operations during machining are considered. A technique for determination and comparative assessment of energy costs on the example of an operation – threading with machine-hand taps – is proposed. Functional relationship between the energy efficiency indicator and the cutting speed during thread tapping is determined. Equations that relate cutting parameters to energy costs are obtained. Energy indicator has been selected on the basis of physical principle of least action – it allows to analyze alternative options for creating machining operation from the point of view of energy efficiency.

The article analyzes correlation between the structure and properties of structural materials based on the composite approach. Analytical description of this correlation has been developed, it reveals the dependence of the integral strength characteristics of materials on the partial strength values of their structural components and their shares in the volume of the sample material. The results were experimentally confirmed when studying the strength of Mo–Re-based alloys.

Analysis of the existing methods of thermochemical treatment and heat treatment, which are used to increase the wear resistance of machine parts, is carried out, advantages and disadvantages are considered. The authors came to the conclusion: some existing methods exhausted their tribological capabilities. In conditions of high demands on product quality with increasing loads and speeds, it is necessary to develop new methods or combine already known and proven methods. When choosing a method, it is necessary to take into account its technological, economic, and environmental assessment. A reserve for increasing wear resistance can be created by combined technologies, which will provide for unexpected, non-standard solutions.

The structure and phase composition of vacuum condensates of carbides of zirconium, niobium, and titanium, diborides of titanium and zirconium have been studied using the methods of metallography, electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and X-ray diffraction. It is determined that the evaporation of these materials in vacuum (2...3)10[sup]-5[/sup] mm Hg and subsequent condensation with velocity of (0.1...2) μm/min is not accompanied by a change in phase composition. The layers deposited on smooth dielectric substrates at (200...700) °C have a dispersed polycrystalline structure and axial orientations. Titanium, zirconium and niobium carbides and titanium and zirconium diobrides powders with compositions close to stoichiometric ones were used as starting materials. Electron microscopic studies have been performed to identify morphological features of the films of high-melting compounds. After their examination it is seen that with an increase in the thickness of the film, an increase in the degree of crystallinity occurs. Films with a thickness of 0.2 μm have a surface on which with a magnification of 10[sup]3[/sup] times it is impossible to detect any crystalline formations; appearance of extremely small tubercles, which are separate crystallites, is observed with increasing film thickness to (0.6 ... 0.98) microns.

Formation of a diffusion-welded joint of aluminum alloys is investigated. Influence of welding modes on the quality of the resulting compound is revealed. It is shown and experimentally substantiated that in order to obtain a high-quality diffusion joint, it is necessary to use: welding temperature corresponding to the superplastic state of aluminum alloys; welding pressure ensuring formation of fillets in the contact zone.

The authors determine the most expedient cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing layers in composite models of combined deposited coatings. Tests of the models made it possible to determine that in the case of a continuous interface in the transition from the base metal to the surfacing material, a sharp increase in stress and its growth in the layer from 4.2 MPa to 6.4 MPa occur. In case of combined deposited coatings during transition to a surfacing material, stress, on the contrary, decreases to 0.5 MPa, 4.2 MPa, and 3.0 MPa.

The article is devoted to the study on the prospects for the application of electron beam equipment in the industries in the Russian Federation. In the course of the study, the relevance of electron beam technology at the present time has been highlighted, the strengths and weaknesses of the technology, its capabilities and threats have been identified. Expert assessment of the impact of the identified advantages and disadvantages on the successful use of electron beam technology in the industry of the Russian Federation has been carried out as a result of the work.