Abstract The (de)hydrogenation properties of a TiFe intermetallic compound (IMC) alloy activated by cold rolling inside a glovebox at ambient temperature were investigated by kinetic measurements, x-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Rate-limiting steps were identified by testing kinetic models on hydrogen absorption and desorption curves. To prevent surface poisoning during air exposure, the TiFe IMC was also cold rolled with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The addition of either PTFE or UHMWPE to nanostructured TiFe by cold rolling did not produce a polymer-metal composite with O2 poisoning resistance, regardless of the polymer-mixing way adopted. This occurred because large surfaces of the particles were not adequately coated with polymer. The results identify challenges to the TiFe IMC polymer-covered material that must be overcome before a methodology can significantly contribute to the formation of nanostructured TiFe-polymer composites with enhanced hydrogen storage properties. The diffusion-controlled reactions in the cold-rolled TiFe IMC without polymer were prevalent in all cases, as predicted by the Jander three-dimensional diffusion model. The main contribution of this work regards estimation of the amount of hydrogen released, which was 0.60% after 6 min and reproducible for the three subsequent cycles.

Abstract Ti-6Al-4V and TiAl-based alloys are widely used for fabricating the implantable orthopedic devices and automotive components, respectively. Ti6Si2B-based alloys are attractive for use in orthopedic components because their higher hardness, superior biocompatibility and corrosion resistance in simulated body fluid than Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Limited information on Ti6Si2B stability in Co-dopped 67Ti-22Si-11B alloys are available in literature. This work presents the effect of cobalt doping and milling time on microstructure and Vickers microhardness of 65Ti-2Co-22Si-11B and 61Ti-6Co-22Si-11B (at-%) alloys produced by spark plasma sintering at 1100 oC for 12min using 20MPa. Samples were characterized by X ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, laser particle size analysis, and Vickers microhardness. Sintered alloys with 2 and 6at-%Co indicated the major presence of Ti6Si2B and Ti5Si3 dissolving up to 2.7 and 4.2 at-%Co, respectively, besides the minor precipitates of CoTi2 (4.4-16.7at-%Si) and CoTi (4.6-4.7at-%Si). Vickers microhardness of the sintered 65Ti-2Co-22Si-11B and 61Ti-6Co-22Si-11B alloys were in the range of 950-1050 and 1050-1150HV, respectively. Although the increase from 2 to 6at-%Co has reduced the Ti6Si2B stability, the Co-rich phases increased their hardness values up to 1150HV (11.3GPa), which are superior than those of commercial Ti alloys used for joint orthopedic components and automotive rotating parts.

Sintered Pr16Fe76B8 magnets have been produced using the hydrogen decrepitation (HD) process and high-energy planetary ball milling. Investigations have been carried out to evaluate the influence of the milling speed and time. The best magnetic properties obtained were Br = (1020 ± 20) mT, µ0iHc = (1420 ± 30) mT and (BH)max/= (200 ± 4) kJm-3, for a magnet prepared with the alloy milled at 200 rpm for 4.5 ks. Magnets prepared from this powder exhibited a superior intrinsic coercivity compared to that of magnets produced using low-energy ball milling. However, the remanence and energy product of the latter were somewhat lower. An important feature was the dramatic reduction in the processing time (about 90%). Microstructural observation have shown that increasing the milling time and keeping constant the rotational mill speed caused an exponential grain size reduction in the sintered magnet. Increasing the milling speed also reduced the grain size and influenced both remanence and intrinsic coercivity.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o comportamento mecânico e os efeitos no processo de calcificação pós-implante do pericárdio bovino tratado com glutaraldeído submetido a várias doses de radiação gama. MÉTODO: Pericárdios bovinos fixados com glutaraldeído foram submetidos a radiação gama, nas doses de 0 a 10000 Gy. Seis amostras de cada grupo foram avaliadas pela microscopia óptica, determinação da temperatura de desnaturação do colágeno e ensaio mecânico de tração e implantadas subcutaneamente em ratos. Após quatro meses do implante, as amostras foram explantadas e o conteúdo de Ca2+ determinado pela espectrometria de absorção atômica. RESULTADOS: Níveis de Ca2+ (em µg/mg): 0 Gy (controle) - 194,45; 50 Gy - 154,64; 100 Gy - 169,37; 200 Gy - 163,64; 500 Gy - 199,89; 1000 Gy - 184,02; 2000 Gy - 198,95; 5000 Gy - 227,95 e 10000 Gy - 362,62. Houve alteração significativa no comportamento mecânico do tecido irradiado, quando comparado ao grupo controle, mesmo com o emprego de baixas doses de radiação. CONCLUSÃO: O emprego da radiação gama no pericárdio bovino tratado com glutaraldeído não reduziu os níveis de Ca2+ em implantes subcutâneos em ratos por quatro meses e promoveu alteração significativa no comportamento mecânico do tecido, com redução na sua resistência, quando comparados ao grupo controle.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of gamma irradiation on glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine pericardium. METHOD: Glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine pericardium was exposed to gamma radiation (doses from 0 to 10000 Gy). Six samples from each of nine groups were evaluated by optic microscopy, and shrinking and mechanical tests and the denaturation temperature was determined. Additionally, they were subcutaneously implanted in rats and after four months they were explanted and Ca2+ levels measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. RESULTS: The Ca2+ levels were (in µg/mg): control (0 Gy) - 194.45; 50 Gy - 154.64; 100 Gy - 169.37; 200 Gy - 163.64; 500 Gy - 199.89; 1000 Gy - 184.02; 2000 Gy - 198.95; 5000 Gy - 227.95; 10000 Gy - 362.62. Gamma irradiation caused a significant effect on the biomechanical properties of the tissue. CONCLUSION: e-fixed bovine pericardium.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar possível efeito sinérgico dos agentes anticalcificantes mais promissores investigados na literatura, por meio de tratamento seqüencial. MÉTODO: Pericárdios bovinos fixados com glutaraldeído foram tratados com: aquecimento a 50ºC, éter dietílico 80%, quitosana 0,125%, heparina, NaBH4 e formaldeído 4%. Amostras foram avaliadas pela microscopia óptica, determinação da temperatura de desnaturação do colágeno e ensaio mecânico de tração e implantadas subcutaneamente em ratos. Após quatro meses do implante, as amostras foram explantadas e o conteúdo de Ca2+ determinado pela espectrometria de absorção atômica. RESULTADOS: Níveis de Ca2+ (em µg/mg): Controle -194,45; aquecimento a 50ºC - 6,87; éter dietílico - 3,69; quitosana - 68,89; quitosana+heparina - 6,81; formaldeído - 107,34; tratamento seqüencial - 0,17. O comportamento mecânico variou de acordo com os tratamentos empregados. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento seqüencial foi efetivo na inibição da calcificação e o tecido apresentou comportamento mecânico adequado à confecção de biopróteses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a possible synergic effect of the most promising anti-calcifying agents investigated in literature by sequential treatment. METHOD: Glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine pericardium was treated by: heating to 50ºC, 80% ether, 0.125% chitosan, heparin, NaBH4 and 4% formaldehyde. Samples were evaluated by optic microscopy, shrinking and mechanical tests and implanted subcutaneously in rats. Four months later the samples were explanted and Ca2+ levels measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. RESULTS: Ca2+ levels were (in µg/mg): control - 194.45; heating at 50ºC - 6.87; ether - 3.69; chitosan - 68.89; heparin - 6.81; formaldehyde - 107.34; sequential treatment - 0.17. The mechanical characteristics changed according to the treatments employed. CONCLUSION: Sequential treatment was effective to inhibit calcification and the tissue showed an adequate mechanical structure for the manufacture of bioprosthesis.