Evaluation of the Biotribological Behavior and Cytotoxicity of Laser-Textured ISO 5832-1 Stainless Steel for Use in Orthopedic Implants

This chapter evaluated the influence of laser texturing process on the tribological behavior of the ISO 5832-1 austenitic stainless steel (SS). The friction coefficient and wear were determined using ball-cratering wear tests. The laser texturing process was carried out with a nanosecond optical fiber ytterbium laser at four different pulse frequencies. Cytotoxicity tests were carried out to determine if laser texturing affects the biomaterial biocompatibility. For comparison reasons, pristine surfaces were also evaluated. The results indicated that the wear volume and friction coefficient were reduced after laser texturing. The samples were considered noncytotoxic according to the biocompatibility tests as the laser texturing process did not decrease cell’s viability

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF AN AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS COATED WITH TiN, TiCN AND DLC PVD COATINGS

Biomateriais metálicos devem apresentar uma combinação de propriedades como resistência à corrosão, biocompatibilidade e resistência mecânica. Os aços inoxidáveis austeníticos, especialmente do tipo AISI 316L, aliam estas propriedades com a possibilidade de fabricação a um baixo custo. No entanto, são susceptíveis à corrosão nos fluidos fisiológicos e seus produtos de corrosão podem causar reações alérgicas ou infecciosas nos tecidos vizinhos ao implante. No presente trabalho, a aplicação de revestimentos obtidos por processos de deposição física de vapor (PVD) sobre um aço inoxidável austenítico do tipo AISI 316L foi realizada a fim de aumentar sua resistência à corrosão e biocompatibilidade. Os filmes depositados foram de nitreto de titânio (TiN), carbonitreto de titânio (TiCN) e de carbono tipo diamante (DLC). Estes materiais têm alta dureza e resistência ao desgaste, além de biocompatibilidade intrínseca, características altamente desejáveis para aplicações biomédicas. A caracterização do comportamento eletroquímico do aço com os três tipos de revestimentos mostrou que a presença de defeitos na superfície das camadas depositadas exerce uma influência negativa sobre a resistência à corrosão do substrato. A presença dos defeitos foi evidenciada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Foi proposto um mecanismo, com base nos dados obtidos por espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica, para explicar a evolução do comportamento eletroquímico do aço com os diferentes revestimentos ao longo do tempo de imersão. Foram também empregados dois tratamentos de passivação da superfície do aço em soluções de ácido sulfúrico e ácido nítrico, a fim de aumentar a resistência à corrosão do substrato. Os resultados indicaram que os tratamentos utilizados não foram eficientes para melhorar esta característica, mas podem ser modificados visando um desempenho superior. As propriedades eletrônicas dos filmes passivos formados, tanto sobre o aço sem tratamento de passivação como sobre o aço passivado, foram estudadas utilizando a abordagem de Mott-Schottky. Os filmes apresentaram um caráter duplex, mostrando comportamento de um semicondutor altamente dopado acima e abaixo do potencial de banda plana. A concentração de dopantes no filme passivo foi associada à resistência à corrosão do material. Os três revestimentos PVD investigados apresentaram comportamento não citotóxico. Considerando a diminuição do coeficiente de atrito do aço 316L, os revestimentos de TiCN e o DLC foram os mais eficientes. Estas características, aliadas ao fator custo, sugerem que a aplicação comercial destes materiais sobre implantes ortopédicos pode ser viável. No entanto, a resistência à corrosão, conforme a avaliação realizada no presente estudo, não foi adequada quando comparada ao desempenho do aço sem nenhum tipo de revestimento. Ao final do texto, são apresentadas algumas sugestões a fim de conseguir um desempenho superior para a capacidade protetora dos revestimentos PVD.Metallic biomaterials must present a combination of properties such as corrosion resistance, biocompatibility and mechanical resistance. Austenitic stainless steels, especially AISI 316L combine these properties with the easy of fabrication at low cost. However, they are prone to corrosion in physiological solutions. Furthermore, their corrosion products may lead to infectious ou allergenic reactions in the tissues around the implant device. In the present work, coatings produced by physical vapour deposition (PVD) methods have been applied on the surface of a 316L stainless steel to increase its corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Three thin films were tested: titanium nitride (TiN), titanium carbonitride (TiCN) and diamond-like carbon (DLC). These materials present high hardness, wear resistance and intrinsic biocompatibility that are key features when considering biomedical applications. The characterization of the electrochemical behavior of the stainless steel coated with the three different films showed that the presence of surface defects are deleterious to the corrosion resistance of the substrate. These defects were observed using scanning electron microscopy. The evolution of the electrochemical behavior of the coated steel was explained through a mechanism based on the experimental results obtained using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Two different passivation treatments were carried out on the stainless steel surface, either in sulfuric or nitric acid solutions, to increase its corrosion resistance. The results suggested que these treatments were not efficient, but may be modified to improve its performance. The electronic properties of the passive films of the non-passivated and passivated stainless steel were studied using the Mott-Schottky approach. The films presented a duplex character. Below the flatband potential the behavior is typical of a highly doped type-p semiconductor. Above the flatband potential is typical of a highly doped type-n semiconductor. The doping concentration in the passive film was determined and associated with the corrosion resistance of the substrate. All PVD coatings investigated showed non-cytotoxic behavior. DLC and TiCN coatings decreased the friction coefficient of the stainless steel substrate. These properties allied with the stainless steel low cost recommend their commercial use for implants materials purposes. Nevertheless the corrosion resistance presented by the coated-steel was inferior to that of the bare steel and should be improved. At the end of the present text, some suggestions are proposed in order to improve the corrosion protection performance of the PVD coatings

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF AN AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS COATED WITH TiN, TiCN AND DLC PVD COATINGS

Biomateriais metálicos devem apresentar uma combinação de propriedades como resistência à corrosão, biocompatibilidade e resistência mecânica. Os aços inoxidáveis austeníticos, especialmente do tipo AISI 316L, aliam estas propriedades com a possibilidade de fabricação a um baixo custo. No entanto, são susceptíveis à corrosão nos fluidos fisiológicos e seus produtos de corrosão podem causar reações alérgicas ou infecciosas nos tecidos vizinhos ao implante. No presente trabalho, a aplicação de revestimentos obtidos por processos de deposição física de vapor (PVD) sobre um aço inoxidável austenítico do tipo AISI 316L foi realizada a fim de aumentar sua resistência à corrosão e biocompatibilidade. Os filmes depositados foram de nitreto de titânio (TiN), carbonitreto de titânio (TiCN) e de carbono tipo diamante (DLC). Estes materiais têm alta dureza e resistência ao desgaste, além de biocompatibilidade intrínseca, características altamente desejáveis para aplicações biomédicas. A caracterização do comportamento eletroquímico do aço com os três tipos de revestimentos mostrou que a presença de defeitos na superfície das camadas depositadas exerce uma influência negativa sobre a resistência à corrosão do substrato. A presença dos defeitos foi evidenciada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Foi proposto um mecanismo, com base nos dados obtidos por espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica, para explicar a evolução do comportamento eletroquímico do aço com os diferentes revestimentos ao longo do tempo de imersão. Foram também empregados dois tratamentos de passivação da superfície do aço em soluções de ácido sulfúrico e ácido nítrico, a fim de aumentar a resistência à corrosão do substrato. Os resultados indicaram que os tratamentos utilizados não foram eficientes para melhorar esta característica, mas podem ser modificados visando um desempenho superior. As propriedades eletrônicas dos filmes passivos formados, tanto sobre o aço sem tratamento de passivação como sobre o aço passivado, foram estudadas utilizando a abordagem de Mott-Schottky. Os filmes apresentaram um caráter duplex, mostrando comportamento de um semicondutor altamente dopado acima e abaixo do potencial de banda plana. A concentração de dopantes no filme passivo foi associada à resistência à corrosão do material. Os três revestimentos PVD investigados apresentaram comportamento não citotóxico. Considerando a diminuição do coeficiente de atrito do aço 316L, os revestimentos de TiCN e o DLC foram os mais eficientes. Estas características, aliadas ao fator custo, sugerem que a aplicação comercial destes materiais sobre implantes ortopédicos pode ser viável. No entanto, a resistência à corrosão, conforme a avaliação realizada no presente estudo, não foi adequada quando comparada ao desempenho do aço sem nenhum tipo de revestimento. Ao final do texto, são apresentadas algumas sugestões a fim de conseguir um desempenho superior para a capacidade protetora dos revestimentos PVD.Metallic biomaterials must present a combination of properties such as corrosion resistance, biocompatibility and mechanical resistance. Austenitic stainless steels, especially AISI 316L combine these properties with the easy of fabrication at low cost. However, they are prone to corrosion in physiological solutions. Furthermore, their corrosion products may lead to infectious ou allergenic reactions in the tissues around the implant device. In the present work, coatings produced by physical vapour deposition (PVD) methods have been applied on the surface of a 316L stainless steel to increase its corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Three thin films were tested: titanium nitride (TiN), titanium carbonitride (TiCN) and diamond-like carbon (DLC). These materials present high hardness, wear resistance and intrinsic biocompatibility that are key features when considering biomedical applications. The characterization of the electrochemical behavior of the stainless steel coated with the three different films showed that the presence of surface defects are deleterious to the corrosion resistance of the substrate. These defects were observed using scanning electron microscopy. The evolution of the electrochemical behavior of the coated steel was explained through a mechanism based on the experimental results obtained using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Two different passivation treatments were carried out on the stainless steel surface, either in sulfuric or nitric acid solutions, to increase its corrosion resistance. The results suggested que these treatments were not efficient, but may be modified to improve its performance. The electronic properties of the passive films of the non-passivated and passivated stainless steel were studied using the Mott-Schottky approach. The films presented a duplex character. Below the flatband potential the behavior is typical of a highly doped type-p semiconductor. Above the flatband potential is typical of a highly doped type-n semiconductor. The doping concentration in the passive film was determined and associated with the corrosion resistance of the substrate. All PVD coatings investigated showed non-cytotoxic behavior. DLC and TiCN coatings decreased the friction coefficient of the stainless steel substrate. These properties allied with the stainless steel low cost recommend their commercial use for implants materials purposes. Nevertheless the corrosion resistance presented by the coated-steel was inferior to that of the bare steel and should be improved. At the end of the present text, some suggestions are proposed in order to improve the corrosion protection performance of the PVD coatings

Corrosion and thermal stability of multi-walled carbon nanotube–graphite–acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene composite bipolar plates for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

AbstractComposite bipolar plates based on the proper mixing of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), synthetic graphite particles and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) powder have been produced by hot compression molding. The corrosion properties of the molded plates were assessed through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization curves. Through-plane and in-plane electrical conductivities were determined. The relevance of electrochemical oxidation to the electrical conductivity of the composites was assessed by cyclic voltammetry. Thermal stability of the composites was examined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The morphology of fractured surfaces of the plates was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The incorporation of MWNTs increased the in-plane and through-plane electrical conductivity of the ABS–graphite composites. There was, though, a corresponding reduction of the corrosion resistance. The thermal behavior was little affected by the addition of MWNTs

Characterization of Corrosion Products on Carbon Steel Exposed to Natural Weathering and to Accelerated Corrosion Tests

The aim of this work was to compare the corrosion products formed on carbon steel plates submitted to atmospheric corrosion in urban and industrial atmospheres with those formed after accelerated corrosion tests. The corrosion products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The specimens were exposed to natural weathering in both atmospheres for nine months. The morphologies of the corrosion products were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The main product found was lepidocrocite. Goethite and magnetite were also found on the corroded specimens but in lower concentrations. The results showed that the accelerated test based on the ASTM B117 procedure presented poor correlation with the atmospheric corrosion tests whereas an alternated fog/dry cycle combined with UV radiation exposure provided better correlation

Comparison of the corrosion resistance of DIN W. Nr. 1.4970 (15%Cr-15%Ni-1.2%Mo-Ti) and ASTM F-138 (17%Cr-13%Ni-2.5%Mo) austenitic stainless steels for biomedical applications

The resistance to localised corrosion of the full austenitic 15%Cr-15%Ni-1.2%Mo titanium stabilized stainless steel (DIN W. Nr. 1.4970) was investigated by electrochemical methods including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization and potentiostatic polarization measurements in a phosphate-buffered solution (PBS). The low carbon and non-stabilized austenitic stainless steel, AISI 316L (ASTM F-138), widely used for surgical implants, was also tested for comparison. The tests were conducted at room temperature after a stable potential had been reached. After the electrochemical measurements, the surfaces of the specimens were observed using SEM to evaluate the presence of pits. Potentiodynamic polarization results showed that both steels are prone to localized corrosion. Larger pits were found on the surface of AISI 316L specimens after the electrochemical tests. EIS response has indicated the duplex structure of the passive oxides. The results showed that the electrochemical behaviour of the DIN W. Nr. 1.4970 is better than of AISI 316L steel. Therefore, their application as an implant material may be considered

Study of the Corrosion Process of AZ91D Magnesium Alloy during the First Hours of Immersion in 3.5 wt.% NaCl Solution

The AZ91D magnesium alloy was immersed in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution at room temperature for times ranging from 1 minute up to 72 hours. The aim was to investigate the evolution of the corrosion process using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The microstructure of the as-received alloy was initially characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The crystalline phases were identified by X-ray diffractometry. The main phases were primary-α, eutectic-α, and β (Mg17Al12). Vickers microhardness markings were made on the surface of one etched sample to facilitate the identification of the same region at each different immersion time, thus enabling the observation of the corrosion process evolution. Corrosion initiates at the grain boundaries of the eutectic microconstituent and, then, propagates through primary α-grains. The β-phase was less severely attacked