An evaluation of carbon steel corrosion under stagnant seawater conditions

Corrosion of 1020 carbon steel coupons in natural seawater over a 1-year period was more aggressive under strictly anaerobic stagnant conditions than under aerobic stagnant conditions as measured by weight loss and instantaneous corrosion rate (polarization resistance). Under oxygenated conditions, a two-tiered oxide layer of lepidocrocite/goethite formed. The inner layer was extremely tenacious and resistant to acid cleaning. Under anaerobic conditions, the corrosion product was initially a non-tenacious sulphur-rich corrosion product, mackinawite, with enmeshed bacteria. As more sulphide was produced the mackinawite was transformed to pyrrhotite. In both aerobic and anaerobic exposures, corrosion was more aggressive on horizontally oriented coupons compared to vertically oriented samples.     

Structural characterization of self-assembled polypeptide films on titanium and glass surfaces by atomic force microscopy

Chemically modified biomaterial surfaces (titanium and glass) covered with polyelectrolyte self-assembled films formed by the alternating adsorption of cationic poly-L-lysine (PLL) and anionic poly-L-glutamic acid (PGA) were structurally characterized by atomic force microscopy. Complementary information concerning the thickness and layer-by-layer growth of the films was provided by optical waveguide light-mode spectroscopy. The frequently used ex situ and the rarely used in situ build-up methods were compared. Important aspects of the industrial applicability of these films, their stability in time, and possible differences in their morphology were investigated. The films revealed a granular pattern, with grain diameters of 270 +/- 87 nm for glass (up to 8 bilayers) and 303 +/- 89 nm for titanium (up to 10 bilayers), independently of the build-up procedure. Both surfaces displayed a rehydration capability, the titanium surface exhibiting a better stability in time. The high roughness values observed at acidic or basic pH are related to the degree of ionization of PGA and PLL.     

An Evaluation of Carbon Steel Corrosion under Stagnant Seawater Conditions

Corrosion of 1020 carbon steel coupons in natural seawater over a 1-year period was more aggressive under strictly anaerobic stagnant conditions than under aerobic stagnant conditions as measured by weight loss and instantaneous corrosion rate (polarization resistance). Under oxygenated conditions, a two-tiered oxide layer of lepidocrocite/goethite formed. The inner layer was extremely tenacious and resistant to acid cleaning. Under anaerobic conditions, the corrosion product was initially a non-tenacious sulphur-rich corrosion product, mackinawite, with enmeshed bacteria. As more sulphide was produced the mackinawite was transformed to pyrrhotite. In both aerobic and anaerobic exposures, corrosion was more aggressive on horizontally oriented coupons compared to vertically oriented samples.     

Comparative analysis of corrosion resistance between beta titanium and Ti-6Al-4V alloys: A systematic review

BackgroundThe knowledge of the electrochemical property (corrosion resistance) of beta titanium alloys compared to Ti-6Al-4 V for implants is relevant because of the potential cytotoxic effects that the released ions could cause to long-term health.ObjectivesThe objective of this systematic review was to seek information on the electrochemical properties (corrosion resistance) of beta titanium alloys compared to Ti-6Al-4 V since the awareness of the electrochemical behavior of the implant surface in the medium is essential for the best indication of the alloys or compositional changes, which may promote benefits to bone-implant interaction in all areas that this procedure is required.MethodsThe PubMed, LILACS, COCHRANE Library, and Science Direct databases were electronically searched for the terms: dental implants AND beta-titanium AND Ti-6Al-4 V AND electrochemical technics. The inclusion criteria were research articles that studied beta-titanium compared to Ti-6Al-4 V using electrochemical techniques in electrolytes of chemical composition similar to body fluid, published in English, between 2000 and 2020. Articles that did not compare the corrosion resistance of these alloys in electrolytes similar to body fluids were excluded.ResultsA total of 189 articles were restored and selected by title and/or abstract according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, which resulted in 15 articles that were reduced to 8 after read in full. The studies in vitro evaluated the corrosion resistance in electrolytes Hank, Ringer, SBF, and 0.9 % NaCl, between beta titanium alloys, obtained by arc fusion or bars stock, and Ti-6Al-4 V, for dental or biomedical implants submitted to surface treatments by heat treatment, plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), alkaline treatment, and thermomechanical.ConclusionThe evaluated literature allowed to determine that 1) The oxides Nb₂O ₅, Ta₂O _5, and ZrO₂ have higher stability and protection quality than that of TiO₂ modified by the oxides of Al and V; 2) A higher modulus of elasticity of the Ti-6Al-4 V alloy favors protection against corrosion by maintaining a thicker and more firmly adhered oxide layer; 3) The increase in the thickness of the Ti alloys superficial layer contributes to the improvement of the corrosion resistance.     

Interactions between cells and titanium surfaces

The interaction between cells and implant materials is determined by the surface structure and/or surface composition of the material. In the past years, titanium and titanium alloys have proved their superiority over other implant materials in many clinical applications. This predominant behaviour is caused by a dense passive oxide layer which forms within milliseconds in oxidizing media. Titanium dioxide layers of 100 nm thickness were produced on the surface of cp-titanium grade 2, and on an experimental alloy of high vanadium content (Ti1.5Al25V) as a harmful control. The layers were produced by thermal and anodic oxidation and by coating by means of the sol-gel process. The resulting oxide layers were characterized with respect of their structure and chemical composition. In cell tests (proliferation, MTT, morphology, actin staining), the reaction of the cells was examined. It was shown that the sol-gel-produced titanium oxide layer is able to shield the cells from toxic alloying elements, with the result that the cell reaction is influenced only by the thin titanium oxide surface layer and not by the composition of the bulk material.     

Bacterial attachment to stainless steel welds: Significance of substratum microstructure

AISI Type 304 L stainless steel (SS) is a widely used material in industry due to its strength and resistance to corrosion. However, corrosion on SS is reported largely at welds or adjacent areas. Bacteria were observed to colonize preferentially near welds as a result of surface roughness. In the present study, the influence of another important metal surface condition on bacterial adhesion has been evaluated, i.e. substratum microstructure. Type 304 L SS weld samples were prepared and machined to separate weld metal, the heat affected zone (HAZ) and base metal regions. The coupons were molded in resin so that only the surfaces polished to a 3 p.m finish were exposed to the experimental medium with Pseudomonas sp. isolated from a corrosive environment in Japan. The coupons were exposed for varying durations. The area of bacterial attachment showed significant differences with time of exposure and; the type of coupons. Generally, the weld metal samples showed more attachment whilst the base metal showed the least. The area of attachment was inversely proportional to the average grain size of the three samples. As the bacteria started colonizing, attachment mainly occurred on the grain boundaries of the base metal (after 8h, 84.62% and 15.38% of the total number of bacteria attached in the field of view (FOV) at the grain boundary and matrix, respectively) and on the austenite‐ferrite interface in the weld metal (after 8h, 88.33% and 11.77% of the total number of bacteria attached in the FOV at the boundary and matrix, respectively). The weld area had more grains and hence more grain boundary/ unit area than the base metal, resulting in more bacterial attachment. SEM observations showed this increased attachment of Pseudomonas sp. resulted in the initiation of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) on the weld coupons by 16 d. Therefore, the results provide data to support the fact that substratum microstructure influences bacterial attachment, which in turn leads to corrosion.     

Do oral biofilms influence the wear and corrosion behavior of titanium?

The main aim of this work was to study the simultaneous wear-corrosion of titanium (Ti) in the presence of biofilms composed of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Both organisms were separately grown in specific growth media, and then mixed in a medium supplemented with a high sucrose concentration. Corrosion and tribocorrosion tests were performed after 48 h and 216 h of biofilm growth. Electrochemical corrosion tests indicated a decrease in the corrosion resistance of Ti in the presence of the biofilms although the TiO₂ film presented the characteristics of a compact oxide film. While the open circuit potential of Ti indicated a tendency to corrosion in the presence of the biofilms, tribocorrosion tests revealed a low friction on biofilm covered Ti. The properties of the biofilms were similar to those of the lubricant agents used to decrease the wear rate of materials. However, the pH-lowering promoted by microbial species, can lead to corrosion of Ti-based oral rehabilitation systems.     

Element proportion effect on internal stress from interfaces and other microstructural components in Cu–Pb alloys

Polycrystalline materials like Cu–Pb alloy consist of four types of microstructural components, including grain cells, grain boundaries, triple junctions and vertex points, the mechanical properties of which governed by the atomic proportion of the alloy elements to a certain degree. The internal stresses from such microstructural components are quite different. Due to experimental limitations, the internal stresses from the alloy materials are difficult to measure directly, especially in the microstructural components. Here, we report a bottom-up approach using an atomistic calculation to obtain atomic properties in Cu-based alloy, as well as that in the microstructural components. The results reveal that a steep stress gradient exists at the interfaces of the alloy, which decreases significantly with the increase of the Pb. The defects evolution process in the alloy samples are investigated during tensile loading, revealing that the defect nucleation is delayed due to the decreasing von Mises stress gradient in the interfaces region as Pb increased. And the increased hydrostatic pressure in the interfaces regions, as a secondary factor can promote the defect nucleation. Among alloy samples with a grain size of 18.58 nm, that with 6.6 at.% Pb has minimal defects and the best mechanical properties.     

Microstructure analysis and wear behavior of titanium cermet femoral head with hard TiC layer

Titanium cermet was successfully synthesized and formed a thin gradient titanium carbide coating on the surface of Ti6Al4V alloy by using a novel sequential carburization under high temperature, while the titanium cermet femoral head was produced. The titanium cermet phase and surface topography were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and backscattered electron imaging (BSE). And then the wear behavior of titanium cermet femoral head was investigated by using CUMT II artificial joint hip simulator. The surface characterization indicates that carbon effectively diffused into the titanium alloys and formed a hard TiC layer on the Ti6Al4V alloys surface with a micro-porous structure. The artificial hip joint experimental results show that titanium cermet femoral head could not only improve the wear resistance of artificial femoral head, but also decrease the wear of UHMWPE joint cup. In addition, the carburized titanium alloy femoral head could effectively control the UHMWPE debris distribution, and increase the size of UHMWPE debris. All of the results suggest that titanium cermet is a prospective femoral head material in artificial joint.     

Filter-extruded liposomes revisited: a study into size distributions and morphologies in relation to lipid-composition and process parameters

Filter-extrusion is a widely used technique for down-sizing of phospholipid vesicles. In order to gain a detailed insight into size and size distributions of filter-extruded vesicles composed of egg phosphatidyl-choline (with varying fractions of cholesterol) – in relation to extrusion-parameters (pore-size, number of filter passages, and flow-rate), flow field-flow fractionation in conjunction with multi-angle laser light scattering (AF4-MALLS, Wyatt Technology Corp., Santa Barbara, CA) was employed. Liposome size-distributions determined by AF4-MALLS were compared with those of dynamic light scattering and correlated with cryo-transmission electron microscopy and ³¹P-NMR-analysis of lamellarity. Both the mean size of liposome and the width of size distribution were found to decrease with sequential extrusion through smaller pore size filters, starting at a size range of ≈70–415?nm upon repeated extrusion through 400?nm pore-filters, eventually ending with a size range from ≈30 to 85?nm upon extrusion through 30?nm pore size filters. While for small pores sizes (50?nm), increased flow rates resulted in smaller vesicles, no significant influence of flow rate on mean vesicle size was seen with larger pores. Cholesterol at increasing mol fractions up to 0.45 yielded bigger vesicles (at identical process conditions). For a cholesterol mol fraction of 0.5 in combination with small filter pore size, a bimodal size distribution was seen indicating cholesterol micro-crystallites. Finally, a protocol is suggested to prepare large (～?300?nm) liposomes with rather narrow size distribution, based on the filter extrusion at defined flow-rates in combination with freeze-/thaw-cycling and bench-top centrifugation.     

Effects of fused-ring antibiotics on metallic corrosion

The effect on metallic corrosion of antibiotics containing the fused-ring structure of tetracycline (doxycycline and the dihydrate and hydrochloride salts of oxytetracycline) when present in 1% KCl solution was investigated. Corrosion potential and zero resistance ammetry studies were carried out; the effects observed were variable and depended upon the nature of the metal and its surface condition. All three antibiotics appeared to stimulate the corrosion of Vitallium (cobalt-chromium alloy), but corrosion inhibition was found for as-received titanium with all three antibiotics, for abraded titanium with doxycycline and for stainless steel with oxytetracycline dihydrate.     

Corrosion protection of low-carbon steel using exopolysaccharide coatings from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leuconostoc mesenteroides</Emphasis>

Corrosion of metals is a serious and challenging problem faced worldwide by industry. Purified Leuconostoc mesenteroides exopolysaccharide (EPS) coatings, cast from aqueous solution, inhibited the corrosion of low-carbon steel as determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). There were two different corrosion behaviors exhibited when EPS films from different strains were cast onto the steel. One EPS coating reacted immediately with the steel substrate to form an iron (III) oxide layer (“rust”) during the drying process while another did not. The samples that did not flash corrode had higher corrosion inhibition and formed an iron (II) passivation layer during EIS testing that persisted after the cells were disassembled. Corrosion inhibition was strain-specific as polysaccharides with similar structure did not have the same corrosion potential.     

Locally Addressable Electrochemical Patterning Technique (LAEPT) applied to poly(L-lysine)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) adlayers on titanium and silicon oxide surfaces

The protein-resistant polycationic graft polymer, poly(L-lysine)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-g-PEG), was uniformly adsorbed onto a homogenous titanium surface and subsequently subjected to a direct current (dc) voltage. Under the influence of an ascending cathodic and anodic potential, there was a steady and gradual loss of PLL-g-PEG from the conductive titanium surface while no desorption was observed on the insulating silicon oxide substrates. We have implemented this difference in the electrochemical response of PLL-g-PEG on conductive titanium and insulating silicon oxide regions as a biosensing platform for the controlled surface functionalization of the titanium areas while maintaining a protein-resistant background on the silicon oxide regions. A silicon-based substrate was micropatterned into alternating stripes of conductive titanium and insulating silicon oxide with subsequent PLL-g-PEG adsorption onto its surfaces. The surface modified substrate was then subjected to +1800 mV (referenced to the silver electrode). It was observed that the potentiostatic action removed the PLL-g-PEG from the titanium stripes without inducing any polyelectrolyte loss from the silicon oxide regions. Time-of-flight secondary ions mass spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy qualitatively confirmed the PLL-g-PEG retention on the silicon oxide stripes and its absence on the titanium region. This method, known as "Locally Addressable Electrochemical Patterning Technique" (LAEPT), offers great prospects for biomedical and biosensing applications. In an attempt to elucidate the desorption mechanism of PLL-g-PEG in the presence of an electric field on titanium surface, we have conducted electrochemical impedance spectroscopy experiments on bare titanium substrates. The results showed that electrochemical transformations occurred within the titanium oxide layer; its impedance and polarization resistance were found to decrease steadily upon both cathodic and anodic polarization resulting in the polyelectrolyte desorption from the titanium surface.     

Spermidine and spermine catalyze the formation of nanostructured titanium oxide

Naturally occurring polyamines putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, and spermine are analogues of the species-specific long-chain polyamines found in diatoms. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy show that the reactions of a soluble Ti(IV) precursor with spermidine and spermine, but not putrescine or cadaverine, produce nanostructured irregular polyhedra of titanium oxide. At 25 degrees C, the average size of the particles formed with spermidine is 400 +/- 150 nm, and with spermine, 140 +/- 50 nm. Although the particles are X-ray amorphous at room temperature, annealing studies reveal that the particles adopt crystallinity at higher temperatures characteristic of anatase (TiO2). The major portion of the biopolyamines is not coprecipitated with the solid but is left in solution. Kinetic measurements reveal an initial fast step followed by two slower phases of reaction. At 25 degrees C, k(1obs) and k(2obs) for the reaction with spermidine are 5 x 10(-3) s(-1) and 3.6 x 10(-4) s(-1), respectively, and for spermine, 4.8 x 10(-3) s(-1) and 4.2 x 10(-4) s(-1), respectively. Taken together, the data suggest spermidine and spermine are biocatalysts for the precipitation of nanostructured titanium oxide.     

The role of fluoride on the process of titanium corrosion in oral cavity

Titanium is known to possess excellent biocompatibility as a result of corrosion resistance, lack of allergenicity when compared with many other metals. Fluoride is well known as a specific and effective caries prophylactic agent and its systemic application has been recommended widely over recent decades. Nevertheless, high fluoride concentrations impair the corrosion resistance of titanium. The purpose of this article is to summarize the current data regarding the influence of fluoride on titanium corrosion process in the last 5?years. These data demonstrate noxious effects induced by high fluoride concentration as well as low pH in the oral cavity. Therefore, such conditions should be considered when prophylactic actions are administrated in patients containing titanium implants or other dental devices.     

Impact of RGD nanopatterns grafted onto titanium on osteoblastic cell adhesion

This work reports on the synthesis of titanium bone implants functionalized with nanoparticles (NPs) containing Arg-Gly-Asp-Cys peptide (RGDC) and shows the adhesion behavior of cells seeded on these materials. RGDC peptides were first conjugated to a norbornenyl-poly(ethylene oxide) macromonomer (Nb-PEO). Then, functional NPs with a size of ～300 nm and constituted of polynorbornene core surrounded by poly(ethylene oxide) shell were prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization in dispersed medium. The grafting density of these NPs on the titanium surface is up to 2 NPs·μm(-2) (80 pmol of RGDC per cm(-2) of NP surface). Cell adhesion was evaluated using preosteoblast cells (MC3T3-E1). Results of cells cultured for 24 h showed that materials grafted with NPs functionalized with RGDC peptides enhance specific cell adhesion and can create filopodia-like structures among NP sites by stressing the cells.     

Preparation of lipid emulsions by pressure extrusion

Lipid emulsions consisting of a surface monolayer of phospholipid enclosing a core of neutral lipids have been prepared by repeated extrusion through polycarbonate filters of defined pore size. Particle size, as measured by photon correlation spectroscopy, decreases on successive passes through a 100 nm filter, reaching a near constant value (130-150 nm) after 4 passes. A corresponding decrease in the standard deviation of the particle size distribution occurs during this process. The recovery of lipids, especially of cholesterol and cholesterol ester, is improved if the emulsion is sonicated before extrusion through filters. [31P]-NMR and fluorescence techniques are used to confirm that the resulting structures are emulsions rather than lipid bilayers.     

大气降尘沉积对塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地土壤水盐运移的影响

利用微型蒸渗仪(MLS)对不同粒级和不同厚度大气降尘沉积条件下塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地土壤水分蒸发和盐分运移进行了模拟试验.结果表明：不同粒级和不同厚度大气降尘沉积均对研究区土壤水分蒸发和盐分运移有显著影响;在相同的沉积厚度和相同的初始含水量条件下,细粒物质（粒径<0.063 mm）沉积可促进土体蒸发、加速下层土体的干旱和盐分的表聚,而粗粒物质（粒径0.063～2 mm）沉积则抑制了土壤水分蒸发、降低了深层土壤水分的损失和盐分的表聚;研究区土壤水分蒸发抑制效率在0.20 mm粒径处出现拐点,粒径在0.063～0.20 mm时,蒸发抑制效率随粒径增大而增大,当粒径>0.20 mm时,蒸发抑制效率则随粒径增大而减小.在相同粒级和相同的初始含水量条件下,不同厚度大气降尘沉积对土壤水分蒸发具有抑制作用,且土壤水分蒸发抑制效率随着沉积厚度的增大而增大,蒸发抑制效率与沉积厚度呈对数关系;沉积厚度越大,盐分向表层积聚越困难.降尘的加入可能导致干旱荒漠区生态系统的不稳定.     

Development of methods for functionalization of screen printed electrodes with biocompatible organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites for biosensing applications

New types of organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites based on nanosized titanium oxide(IV) (TiO₂, particle size <100 nm) and carbon nanotubes (CNT, outer diameter of 10–15 nm, inner diameter of 2–6 nm, and length of 0.1–10 μm) and phosphatidylcholine were elaborated for improvement of analytical characteristics of screen printed electrodes. These nanomaterials were employed as an interface for immobilization of skeletal myoglobin. Electroanalytical and electrokinetic behavior of myoglobin on such interfaces was characterized with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). Direct unmediated electron transfer between heme of immobilized myoglobin and electrodes modified with titanium oxide or carbon nanotubes was registered. The midpoint (redox) potential of the myoglobin Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ E _1/2 = ?0.263 V for electrodes modified with CNT and E _1/2 = ?0.468 V for electrodes modified with TiO₂ was observed (vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode).     

Enhance Stability and in vitro Cell Response to a Bioinspired Coating on Zr Alloy with Increasing Chitosan Content

The aim of the present paper is to characterize bioinspired chitosan (CS) + hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings with various components ratio on a zirconium alloy with titanium.The coatings were characterized by FT-IR,SEM,hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance,adherence,roughness,electrochemical stability and in vitro cell response.Electrochemical tests,including potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy,were performed in normal saline physiological solution.Cell viability of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts,lactate dehydrogenase,nitric oxide,and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels,as well as actin cytoskeleton morphology,were evaluated as biological in vitro tests.The results on in vitro cell response indicated good cell membrane integrity and viability for all samples,but an increased cell number,a decreased ROS level and a better cytoskeleton organization were noticed for the sample with a higher CS content.The coating with highest CS concentration indicated the best performance based on the experimental data.The highest hydrophilic character,highest resistance to corrosion and best biocompatibility as well recommend this coating for bioapplications in tissue engineering.