ABSTRACT This work reports the mechanical properties of ab and a(b)c-plane of melt textured Y1-xPrxBa2Cu3O7-δ (x = 0.00 and 0.05) superconductor. Y1-xPrxBa2Cu3O7-δ have been prepared by top seeding technique. Hardness and elastic modulus were obtained by instrumented indentation. Independent of the plane, the hardness values were around 5.0-7.5 GPa. Young’s modulus was approximately the same for both samples for ab-plane, around 132 GPa at the deepest tip penetration. However, for a(b)c-plane, the value of Young’s modulus for x = 0.05 is higher than observed for x = 0.00 sample.

ABSTRACT Among titanium alloys with non-toxic elements, the Ti-25Nb-25Ta alloy has good elastic behavior for applications in osseous implants, biocompatibility, and excellent corrosion resistance. The present study aimed to better the biocompatibility characteristics of Ti-25Nb-25Ta alloy modifying its surface through Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) treatment. The formed oxide coating is amorphous and composed of two distinct porous formations: smaller hole-shaped pores and larger volcano-like pores. The regions with the formation of smaller pores and in the hole shaped presented the highest atomic percentage of the chemical element phosphorus. Nanoindentation tests have shown that the hardness of the Ti-25Nb-25Ta alloy is slightly lower than the commercially pure grade 2 titanium (a material used as reference), while elastic modulus measurements of Ti-25Nb-25Ta presented more suitable values for implant application (lower values when compared with titanium reference). After PEO treatment there were significant mechanical surface improvements (increased fairly surface hardness and decreased elastic modulus) for application in osseous tissue. Despite the Ti-25Nb-25Ta alloy presented excellent characteristics for applications in hard biological tissues, the PEO treatment better its features.

The Laves phase reinforced CoCrMoSi alloy system has emerged as a candidate material to protect the surface of components to withstand harsh environments under wear and/or corrosion. However, previous reports have raised some concerns and restricted a wider selection of iron-based substrates to be coated, especially limiting the carbon content. This work aims to outline the Laves - Carbides phases in the microstructure and its effect on the properties of T400 alloy deposited on GGG40 ductile iron. Dilution of 26 % ensured Laves formation either as primary or secondary, due to high-silicon substrate selected. Departing from 41 % dilution, the alloy changed to a completely carbide strengthened system. Therefore, for the lowest dilution the coatings hardness is dictated by Laves phase whereas, for higher ones, carbides are the most influent phases.

The substitution effects of Fe ion on the structure of the intermetallic Bi3Ni1-xFex (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) superconductor were studied. The morphology of samples consists of an inhomogeneous laminar slab-like microstructure. The main phase corresponds to Bi3Ni1-xFex with an orthorhombic structure (Pnma), but with very small quantities of impurities of BiNi and Bi as revealed by X-ray diffraction. SEM and AFM reveal that the Bi3Ni1-xFex phase consists of two regions. One region is Bi richer and Ni and Fe poorer than the other region. Raman spectroscopy revealed two phonon modes at room temperature. No significant changes were observed in the spectra with Fe doping and in different regions of the Bi3Ni1-xFex phase. Superconductivity is observed below a transition temperature TC = 4 K and regardless of iron doping.

The effects of Ag addition on some physical properties of YBa2Cu3O7-δ superconductor has been studied. The samples were produced by different routes and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and nanoindentation. The superconducting properties were studied by dc magnetization and electrical resistivity measurements. The X-ray patterns revealed that all samples were polycrystalline and corresponded to the orthorhombic YBa2Cu3O7-δ phase. However, for some samples, silver appears to be present within the grains. The superconducting properties were not significantly influenced by Ag addition. Hardness and elastic modulus were also obtained by instrumented indentation. Ag addition was found to be effective in improving the mechanical properties, probably by filling the pores in the grain boundaries. Hardness profiles indicated values between 3.1 and 3.4 GPa at deep tip penetration depths. The highest elastic modulus of 146 GPa was attained for samples prepared using Y2O3, BaCO3, CuO and Ag2O as precursors, while the lowest modulus (125 GPa) was obtained for the pure YBa2Cu3O7-δ sample.

The nanoindentation technique allows the determination of mechanical properties at nanometric scale. Hardness (H) and elastic modulus (E) profiles are usually determined by using the Oliver-Pharr method from the load/unload curves. This approach is valid only for flat surfaces, or at least, when a very low degree of asperity is present (lower than 30 nm). The basic statement is the determination of the zero tip-surface contact point. If a rough surface is present, errors can occur in determining this contact point and, as a consequence, the surface hardness and elastic modulus profiles are drastically altered resulting in under evaluated values. Surfaces with different roughness were produced by controlled nitrogen glow discharge process on titanium. The changed nitriding parameters were different N2/H2 atmospheres and temperatures (600 °C-900 °C). The most correct H and E profiles were obtained by using the contact stiffness analysis method, proposed here, that overcomes the surface roughness. The obtained results were compared with available literature data.