Perovskite manganite La0.7Ba0.3MnO3, synthesized by ionic coordination reaction method (ICR) was compacted into pellets under different compaction pressures (Pc) and sintered at a temperature of 1150°C for 10h under a flow of O2. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data reveal that the samples can present simultaneously two phases - a rhombohedral structure with space group R3c and an orthorhombic structure with space group Pnma. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show that, for this sintering temperature, the particle size and shape can be modified depending on the compaction pressure (Pc). Magnetization measurements show that the saturation magnetization and Curie temperature increase with Pc. The enhancement of the ferromagnetic properties of perovskite manganites La0.7Ba0.3MnO3 as a function of the compaction pressure is explained by an increase in the rhombohedral/orthorhombic structure ratio caused by this effect.

This research used the "cathodic cage (CC)" technique for TiO2 film deposition on duplex stainless steel substrate. This technique uses a multiple hollow cathode effect. Duplex stainless steel substrates were treated at temperatures of 300°C, 350°C and 400°C, giving a temperature value ratio (Ts/Tm) of 0.27 to 0.31 (Ts being the substrate temperature and Tm the melting temperature of the deposited material). Treatment times of 1, 2 and 4 hours were administered and polycrystalline TiO2 films were obtained. The films were analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). During analysis, the formation of uniform films and the possibility of controlling the TiO2 phase were observed. It was also shown that with longer treatment times and higher temperatures the rutile phase predominates. For treatment times of 4 hours at all temperatures, the rutile structure was present. With treatment times of less than 4 hours, anatase was present. In addition, results showed that this simple, low cost technique can be an alternative method for depositions of TiO2 films, with the advantage of high levels of control over porosity, thickness and phase composition (anatase and rutile).

AISI 409 ferritic stainless steel samples were nitrided using the cathodic cage plasma nitriding technique (CCPN), with the addition of methane to reduce chromium precipitation, increase hardness and wear resistance and reduce the presence of nitrides when compared to plasma carbonitriding. Microhardness profiles and X-Ray analysis confirm the formation of a very hard layer containing mainly ε-Fe3N and expanded ferrite phases.