Two‐ and three‐dimensional profilometer assessments to determine titanium roughness

In this study, a comparative topography analysis of titanium (Ti) surfaces was performed using two‐ (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) profilometers. Ti samples were either only sandblasted (SB) using Al₂O₃ particles or were SB and received an additional chemical treatment using a solution of 4% HF (SLA). Samples with no treatment were used as a control group (C). Therefore, three different surfaces were evaluated: SB, SLA and C. The Ti surface topographies were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. An Ra roughness measurement was performed on each Ti sample by 2D and 3D profilometers. Surface roughness was also characterized using amplitude, spatial and hybrid 3D parameters. 2D and 3D profilometer analyses produced very close results. Mean Ra values range from 0.19 to 0.25 (C, p<0.05), 0.84 to 0.99 (SLA, p<0.05) and 0.98 to 1 µm (SB, p>0.05). The statistically different Ra values depending on the surface studied may be explained by methodological and technical differences. Also, 3D profilometer seems to be the more appropriate analytical method for measuring the roughness of Ti surfaces because it also describes surface organization. SCANNING 31: 174–179, 2009. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Systematic approach for morphological analysis of worn surfaces

A systematic approach for the analysis of worn surfaces is presented as an analytical tool to deliver information about the current state of the surface. With this approach, not only the quantity but also the quality of the modified surface is revealed, information that is of great importance in cases of surface treatments. The change of bearing ratio is observed with progressive wear, and changes of morphological parameters are related to wear rate. The mechanism of wear particle transfer at the interface is analysed. Prospects for applying this new morphological approach are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Atomic force microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray spectrophotometry analysis of reciprocating and continuous rotary nickel‐titanium instruments following root canal retreatment

The aim was to examine the effect of retreatment process on the surface roughness and nickel titanium (NiTi) composition of ProTaper Universal Retreatment (PTUR; consists of 3 files; D1, D2, D3) and WaveOne Gold (WOG) (primary) instruments. Twenty extracted mandibular molar teeth with severe curved (30–40°) mesial roots were selected and divided into two groups (n = 10) based on the instrument used for the removal of the root canal filling. Before and after using the instruments in two canals, they were subjected to atomic force microscopy (AFM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectrophotometry (EDX) analysis. The EDX analysis data and roughness average (Ra) and root mean square (RMS) values were analyzed statistically using a one‐way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey's test at the 5% significant level. There was no significant difference between the new and used D1 and D2 PTUR and WOG instruments in terms of the Ni composition (p > .05). The Ti contents of the used D2 and D3 PTUR instruments were lower those of the new instruments (p < .05). In both new and used instruments, PTUR and WOG have no difference in terms of Ra and RMS values. (p > .05). The Ra and RMS values of the PTUR and WOG systems significantly increased after removal of the root canal filling (p < .05). The use of PTUR and WOG instruments for removal of root canal filling in severely curved root canals affected the surface topography of the files. The NiTi composition of the WOG instruments was unaffected by the retreatment process.     

Measurement and analysis of surface roughness in turning of aerospace titanium alloy (gr5)

Titanium alloys are extensively used in aerospace, biomedical applications and they are used in corrosive environments. In this study, the effect of cutting parameters on the surface roughness in turning of titanium alloy has been investigated using response surface methodology. The experimental studies were conducted under varying cutting speeds, feed and depths of cut. The chip formation and SEM analysis are discussed to enhance the supportive surface quality achieved in turning. The work material used for the present investigation is commercial aerospace titanium alloy (gr5) and the tool used is RCMT 10T300 – MT TT3500 round insert. The equation developed using response surface methodology is used for predicting the surface roughness in machining of titanium alloy. The results revealed that the feed was the most influential factor which affect the surface roughness.     

Characterisation of the microplasma spraying of biocompatible coating of titanium

This paper presents new results of studying the influence of parameters of microplasma spraying (MPS) of Ti wire on the structure and properties of Ti coatings. Based on the design of the experiment and the results of the SEM study, certain spraying modes were chosen to form the desired composition and structure of the Ti coating.  The dense sublayer (up to 300 µm thick) provides good adhesion to the substrate, and a porous top layer can accelerate the coated implant ingrowth with the bone.  This technology is developed for the manufacture of coated endoprosthesis implants.     

The study of tribological properties of laser‐textured surface of 2024 aluminium alloy under boundary lubrication

The tribological property of aluminium alloy is critical for its reliable operation in practical applications. In this paper, the tribological performance of laser‐textured 2024 aluminium alloy is studied in unidirectional sliding tests under boundary lubrication. The dimples were produced on the aluminium alloy surface by using a pulse Nd : YAG laser. The topographical microstructures of these laser‐induced textures were characterised by optical and scanning electron microscopy. In comparison with untextured surfaces, a significant improvement in friction behaviour was observed for the textured surfaces. The influences of dimples density on the tribological properties were investigated. Two types of oil with different viscosities were evaluated as lubricants. It was found that the beneficial effects of laser surface texturing are more pronounced at higher speed and load with higher viscosity oil. The optimum dimples density of 8.5% was found to have a lower friction coefficient. On basis of the experimental results, the mechanism of friction reduction and anti‐wear is proposed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In vivo assessment of the corrosion of nickel–titanium orthodontic archwires by using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy

This study was undertaken to assess in vivo the corrosion in two commercial nickel–titanium (NiTi) orthodontic archwires removed from the oral cavity of patients using fluoride mouthwashes. Five volunteers took part in this study on the corrosion behavior of two brands of NiTi archwires (3M and AO (brand of archwire)) during use of two mouthwashes with neutral sodium fluoride 1.1%, one with acidulated fluoride 1.1%, and one with placebo and a control group. Each patient used one mouthwash in three different periods of time for 1 min a day for 30 days. The archwires were assessed with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy for qualitative and quantitative analysis. The values obtained with atomic force microscopy (AFM) were submitted to normality test, two‐way analysis of variance, and Tukey's test at a significance level of 5%. The AFM images showed a gradual qualitative increase in the roughness of both types of wire between the treatments: control < placebo < neutral fluoride < acidulated fluoride. The arithmetic average of the roughness and root mean square of the roughness were similar. As for 3M archwires, only the acidulated fluoride group differed statistically from the others. As for AO archwires, the control and placebo groups did not differ from each other, but differed from the other fluoride treatments. The group using neutral fluoride also differed significantly from the acidulated fluoride group. 3M archwires were not affected by daily oral challenges. AO archwires were not affected by daily oral challenges either; their association with fluoride, either neutral or acidulated, increased their roughness.     

An atomic force microscopy statistical analysis of laser‐induced azo‐polyimide periodic tridimensional nanogrooves

The surface morphology of azo‐polyimide films was investigated after 355nm Nd: YAG laser irradiation with two different incident fluencies. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to correlate the laser‐induced tridimensional nanogrooved surface relief with the incident fluence and the number of irradiation pulses. The height images revealed that the grooves depth increased even tens of times by increasing the incident fluence, using the same numbers of irradiation pulses. For low incident fluence, the films were uniformly patterned till 100 pulses of irradiation. Instead, when using higher fluence, after 15 pulses of irradiation the accuracy of the surface relief definition was reduced. This behavior could be explained by means of two different mechanisms, one that suppose the film photo‐fluidization due to the cis‐trans isomerization processes of the azo‐groups and the second one responsible for the directional mass displacement. The dominant surface direction and parameters like isotropy, periodicity, and period were evaluated from the polar representation for texture analysis, revealing the appearance of ordered and directionated nanostructures for most of the experimental conditions. Also, the graphical studies of the functional volume parameters have evidenced the improvement of the relief structuration during surface nanostructuration. The correlation of these statistical texture parameters with the irradiation characteristics is important in controlling the alignment of either the liquid crystals or the cells/tissues on patterned azo‐polyimide surfaces for optoelectronic devices and implantable biomaterials, respectively. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:914–923, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

TiNi形状记忆合金/钛合金异种材料激光焊

由于TiNi合金与钛合金的物理和化学性能差异较大,故其焊接性较差,焊缝区易形成大量的金属间化合物并产生裂纹。为实现上述材料的良好连接、提高接头性能,本文对采用激光焊连接0.2mm厚TiNi形状记忆合金和TC4钛合金异种材料进行了探索。分别采用直接对接焊和手工填丝焊的方法,研究了焊接接头的微观组织和力学性能。结果表明,直接对接焊时焊缝中心产生了纵向裂纹;手工填丝焊则通过合适的焊接工艺,改善了焊缝成形,避免了裂纹的产生。较优的焊接工艺参数为功率百分比18%、脉冲宽度3ms、脉冲频率3Hz;在界面区,Ni与TC4形成的过渡层宽度约为2μm,Ni与TiNi形成的过渡层宽度约为0.5μm。接头最大抗拉强度为332MPa,断裂位置发生在靠近TiNi侧的熔合线附近。     

TC11钛合金力热耦合仿真分析及双目标参数优化

针对TC11钛合金材质的某型航天盘类零件难加工问题,采用ABAQUS仿真平台,基于实际切削参数,对车削过程中的切削力、热分布规律以及切削参数交互作用进行了研究。首先采用单因素实验,探究了切削力和热分布规律,其次采用正交实验法,研究了交互作用下的切削力和热分布规律,并拟合出切削力、热的多元线性回归模型,最后对回归模型进行双目标优化。实验结果表明,切削用量对切削力的影响排序为:切削深度>进给量>切削速度,对切削温度的影响排序为进给量>切削速度>切削深度。回归模型高度拟合试验,算法寻优可以有效地优化切削参数,降低切削力和切削热。     

Evaluation of the real contact areas, pressure distributions and contact temperatures during sliding contact between real metal surfaces

A three-dimensional elastic contact algorithm has been developed to analyse the normal contact problems of bodies having rough surfaces. The algorithm can evaluate the real contact areas and contact pressure distributions using measured surface roughness data.

Following an approximate elastic-plastic contact solution the analysis produces more realistic elastic and plastic contact areas; in addition results of contact pressure distributions can be predicted according to a given maximum plastic limit pressure.

The technique can simulate (in an approximate way) the elastic-plastic sliding contact behaviour in the vicinity of asperities or concentrated contact areas by ignoring the effect of the tangential forces on the vertical displacement.

Assuming a certain sliding speed and a particular coefficient of friction the local temperature distribution due to the heat generation over the real contact areas can also be calculated for 'slow sliding' problems.

The results show the moving real contact areas and the contact temperature fields for an electric spark mechanical steel surface moving over a planed bronze surface. Changes of the rigid body displacement, as well as the average and maximum pressures are also presented during sliding.

The micro-contact or asperity contact behaviour for bodies having large nominal contact area and the macro-contact behaviour for bodies being in 'concentrated contact' are also compared. In the latter case an ideal smooth steel ball was slid over the previously mentioned bronze surface.     

Short‐Term Response of Human Osteoblast‐Like Cells on Titanium Surfaces With Micro‐ and Nano‐Sized Features

Since the way that human bone cells behave on contact with different surfaces topographies seems to be crucial to osseointegration, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the participation of some micro‐ and nanosized features of Ti surfaces in the short‐term response of primary human osteoblast‐like cells (HOC). Surfaces were prepared as ground (G‐Ti), hydrofluoric acid etched (HF‐Ti), and sandblasted/HF‐etched (SLA‐Ti), and analyzed using both three‐dimensional (3D) profilometer and atomic force microscope (AFM). Cell morphology was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after 4 and 24 h in culture. Cell viability, adhesion, and spreading were also evaluated 4 and 24 h after seeding over each surface. Data were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA) complemented by Duncan test. Cell morphology, cell counting, and membrane integrity (Neutral Red, NR) were not affected by surface treatment at any time. However, HF‐Ti presented the smallest surface area and did not increase tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT) reduction from 4 to 24 h. On the other hand, a higher level of spreading was only found on the rougher and isotropic SLA‐Ti at 4 h. In conclusion, although all evaluated Ti surfaces allowed HOC short‐term adhesion, the finer topography introduced by HF as single treatment did not favor HOC mitochondrial activity and spreading. The rougher and more complex SLA surface seems to provide a better substrate for HOC short‐term response. SCANNING 34: 378‐386, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Morphology of Co–Cr–Mo dental alloy surfaces polished by three different mechanical procedures

The present study aims at characterizing the three‐dimensional (3‐D) morphology of a Co–Cr–Mo dental alloy surface as a result of three different procedures used for polishing it. The sample surface morphology of the sampled surface was examined employing atomic force microscopy (AFM), statistical surface roughness parameters, and fractal analysis. An extra‐hard dental alloy of cobalt–chromium–molybdenum (Co–Cr–Mo) (Wironit^®, from BEGO, Bremen, Germany) was prepared and moulded. Different polishing treatments were carried out on three groups of six samples each—a total of 18 samples. The first group contained six electropolished (EP) samples. The second group containing six samples went through a mechanical polishing process employing green rubber discs and a high shine polishing paste applied by a rotating black brush (BB). The third group comprising six samples as well went through a mechanical polishing process by means of green rubber discs, high shine polishing paste, and a rotating deer leather brush (DL). Fractal analysis on the basis of a computational algorithm applied to the AFM data was employed for the 3‐D quantitative characterization of the morphology of the sampled surfaces. The fractal dimension D (average ± standard deviation) of 3‐D surfaces for BB samples (2.19 ± 0.07) is lower than that of the DL samples (2.24 ± 0.08), which is still lower than that of the EP samples (2.27 ± 0.09). The results indicated the BB samples as presenting the lowest values of statistical surface roughness parameters, thus the best surface finish, while the EP samples yielded the highest values. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:831–839, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

无涂层硬质合金刀具车削钛合金Ti-6Al-4V实验研究

钛合金是航空航天工业中应用广泛的一种难加工材料。本文研究了无涂层硬质合金刀具干切削钛合金Ti-6Al-4V时切削力、表面粗糙度的变化规律，得到了切削深度、进给量、切削速度对切削力和表面粗糙度的影响规律。对切削力实验结果进行了回归分析得到了切削力的指数公式，并运用校正R^2拟合判定系数、累积概率图和残差图对回归模型进行了检验，检验结果表明：切削力的3个回归方程较好的拟合了实验所测的数据，钛合金切削过程中切削力近似满足指数关系。     

Sliding wear behaviour of ion implanted ultra high molecular weight polyethylene against a surface modified titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V

A study has been made of the sliding wear behaviour of untreated and ion implanted ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) against a surface modified titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) using a pin on disc apparatus. It was found that the presence of water lubrication and a very smooth counterface was necessary to maintain low wear rates of the UHMWPE. A ‘zero wear’ effect was observed when nitrogen implanted UHMWPE was tested against very smooth counterfaces (R_a ≈ 0.03 μm) of either surface oxidized or nitrogen implanted Ti-6Al-4V under water lubrication. The enhanced mechanical and physical properties of the surface treated materials are believed to be responsible for the improved wear performance.     

Effect of surface roughness on magneto‐hydrodynamic couple‐stress squeeze film lubrication between circular stepped plates

In this paper, a theoretical analysis of the problem of magneto‐hydrodynamic couple‐stress squeeze film lubrication between rough circular stepped plates is presented. The modified averaged Reynolds equation is derived for the two types of one‐dimensional roughness structures, namely the radial roughness pattern and the azimuthal roughness pattern. The closed‐form expressions are obtained for the mean squeeze film pressure, load‐carrying capacity and squeeze film time. The results are presented for different operating parameters. It is observed that the effect of azimuthal (radial) roughness pattern on the bearing surface is to increase (decrease) the mean load‐carrying capacity and squeeze film time. The applied magnetic field increases the load‐carrying capacity and lengthens the squeezing time. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐temperature laser‐scanning confocal microscopy as a tool to study the interface instability during unsteady‐state solidification of low‐carbon steel

Solidification microstructure is a defining link between production techniques and the mechanical properties of metals and in particular steel. Due to the difficulty of conducting solidification studies at high temperature, knowledge of the development of solidification microstructure in steel is scarce. In this study, a laser‐scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) has been used to observe in situ and in real‐time the planar to cellular to dendritic transition of the progressing solid/liquid interface in low carbon steel. Because the in situ observations in the laser‐scanning confocal microscopy are restricted to the surface, the effect of sample thickness on surface observations was determined. Moreover, the effect of cooling rate and alloy composition on the planar to cellular interface transition was investigated. In the low‐alloyed, low‐carbon steel studied, the cooling rate does not seem to have an effect on the spacing of the cellular microstructure. However, in the presence of copper and manganese, the cell spacing decreased at higher cooling rates. Higher concentrations of copper in steel resulted on an increased cell spacing at the same cooling rates.