published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

A local company instituted a new chemical procedure in their spray phosphating system used in the pretreatment of large components for industrial racking systems. An inorganic conversion coating is deposited on the workpiece surface during phosphating and this prepares the surface to receive an organic top-coat. The organic coating is applied to the workpiece surface in the form of a powder and cured to form a continuous film about 80 u.m thick. The solution chemistry of the phosphating system was monitored by sampling and chemical analysis and taking direct reading instrumental measurements on the process and rinse solutions. The process was also evaluated using the results of a waste minimisation audit. This involved gathering data on composition, flow rates and costs of inputs and outputs of the process. Two types of information were collected and used during the audit, namely chemical monitoring (concentration levels of Na, Fe, Zn, Mo, Mn and Cr and measurements of conductivity, TDS, SS and pH) and water usage data on the Phosphating Line and existing data (raw materials, workpieces and utility inputs as well as domestic waste, factory waste and scrap metal outputs). The data were analysed using four established waste minimisation techniques. The Scoping Audit and the Water Economy Assessment results were determined using empirically derived models. The Mass Balance and the True Cost of Waste findings were obtained through more detailed calculations using the results of the chemical analysis. The results of the audit showed that the most important area for waste minimsation in the Phosphating Line was the (dragged-out phosphating chemicals present in) wastewater stream. According to the scoping audit, water usage had the third highest waste minimisation potential behind powder and steel consumption for the entire powder coating process. While the scoping audit and the specific water intake value showed that water consumption for the process was not excessive, it did not indicate that the pollution level in the rinse waters was high. Further, drag-out calculations showed that drag-out volumes were typical of those found in the metal finishing industry. However the presence of high levels of metal species in the rinse waters was highlighted through the chemical monitoring of the Phosphating Line. The True Cost of Waste Analysis estimated potential financial savings for the effluent stream at about R8000 for a period of 105 days. However this does not take into consideration the cost of the liability associated with this stream when exceeding effluent discharge limits (given in the Trade Effluent Bylaws) or of the chemical treatment necessary to render this stream suitable for discharge to sewer. Intervention using only "low-cost-no-cost" waste minimisation measures was recommended as a first step before contemplating further areas for technical or economic feasibility studies. However, a further study involving monitoring the sludge was recommended in order to establish the potential financial savings offered by this waste stream. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

This study involved an assessment of the Pietermaritzburg Waste Minimisation Club (PWMC) during 2001, and a waste minimisation audit conducted at two coil coating lines. Waste minimisation is the reduction or elimination of waste at source4 • It is often achieved through waste minimisation clubs which comprise a small number of companies, generally in the same geographicaI area, that are interested in reducing waste 1"711 . The success of the PMWC was evaluated in terms of the degree to which members implemented waste minimisation principles. Two questionnaires were used to assess the success of the club. These indicated that although the training material gave the members a good understanding of the basic principles of waste minimisation, the material has not given the members enough practical information to implement a waste minimisation programme in their companies. The main barriers to waste minimisation identified include production pressure, operational constraints, lack of human resources and a lack of management time. The drivers for waste minimisation were financial savings, improved plant utilisation and improved environmental performance. Coil coating is a continuous process where a coiled sheet of aluminium is cleaned, pretreated and coated with paint. The flow rates, compositions and costs of all input and output streams to the cleaning and pretreatment sections were gathered from operators or measured. The data were collected over a three-month period to obtain a representative sample, and then analysed to determine waste minimisation opportunities using mass balances, monitoring and targeting, a scoping audit and a true cost of waste assessment. The scoping audit was found to be the most useful technique because it accurately prioritised the waste minimisation opportunities but required a relatively small amount of data for its application. However, the scoping audit underestimated the savings that could be achieved at the coil coating department and therefore the 'scope to save' percentages, which were developed for United Kingdom industries, need modification to better reflect South African industry. Opportunities for waste minimisation on Coil Coating Line 1 (CCL1) included reducing the water consumption, reducing the acid and chromium raw materials consumption, and finding a cheaper energy source for heating the process and rinse tanks. Potential fmancial savings of R116 000 and environmental savings of 18 200 kL of water or effluent per year were calculated for CCL1. The chromium and acid effluent treatment and solid waste disposal are the main areas for waste minimisation on Coil Coating Line 2 (CCL2). Savings could be achieved in these areas by using roller application ofthe chromium pretreatment rather than spray application, and by preventing a leak of chromium pretreatment into the acid process and rinse tanks. Other savings can also be achieved by operating the chromium process tank as a fed-batch process, and operating the alkali and acid process tanks as continuous processes at the specified chemical concentrations and with recycle of the rinse water (dragout). The total financial savings that can be achieved on CCL2 are R5.3 million, and potential environmental savings are 31 600 kL ofeffluent per year. / Thesis (M.Sc.)- University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Joel DeRouchey / Thirteen experiments using a total of 7,589 nursery and finishing pigs were conducted to evaluate the effects of deoxynivalenol (DON), feed additives and processing conditions on nursery pig growth performance. In addition, feed withdrawal and diet blending were evaluated in finishing pigs. Experiment 1 tested 3 feed additives in DON-contaminated diets with only Defusion Plus improving performance. Experiment 2 evaluated Biofix in both low- and high-DON diets and showed no effects on growth. Experiments 3 and 4 further evaluated levels of Defusion and the effects of pelleting and supplemental nutrients in DON-contaminated diets. Defusion improved growth in low-DON diets, but had variable effects in high DON diets. Pelleting DON-contaminated diets resulted in comparable growth to pigs fed positive control diets in meal form. In Exp. 5 and 6, pilot studies evaluated DON-detoxification using sodium metabisulfite (SMB) with hydrothermal treatment in both an autoclave and a pellet mill. These conditions reduced analyzed DON by as much as 89 and 75% for the autoclave and pellet mill, respectively. In Exp. 7 and 8, pelleting DON-contaminated diets with SMB improved growth. Experiments 9 and 10 evaluated feed-withdrawal time on carcass composition and economic returns. These experiments showed that pre-slaughter fasting for up to 36 h prior can be used to avoid weight discounts in heavyweight pigs without negatively impacting carcass composition and maintaining overall revenue. However, these advantages come with a potential reduction in carcass weight and increased incidence of leaking ingesta, which can result in condemned heads. Experiments 11, 12, and 13 compared phase-feeding to blending diets using an automated feed delivery system. These studies showed that corn-supplement blending is not economical and feeding diets blended to a Lys curve results in lower feed costs compared to phase-feeding, but due to reductions in growth and carcass weight, these savings do not translate into higher income over feed cost. Finally, Exp. 13 showed that over- and under-budgeting situations do not significantly influence overall returns, but pigs fed under-budgeted diets performed more closely to those fed correctly estimated feed budgets.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Science and Industry / Jim L. Nelssen / Three experiments used 777 pigs to study the effects of fiber source; wheat middlings (midds), dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), and choice white grease (CWG), and reduction strategies for growing and finishing pigs. Also a fourth study utilizing 1,360 pigs was conducted to determine the effect of immunocastration (IC) and DDGS withdrawal on growth performance, carcass characteristics, fatty acid analysis, and iodine value (IV) of pork fat depots in growing and finishing pigs. Experiment 1 determined that the ingredient source of fiber (wheat middlings or DDGS) was more important than NDF level alone, for characterization of growth, carcass, and yield responses. Experiment 2 showed that a short (23 d) fiber reduction strategy was successful at fully recovering yield loss; however, a longer reduction (47 d) was necessary for further improvements in carcass fat quality (IV). Experiment 3 further proved that yield loss can be recovered with a short fiber reduction strategy (19 d), and that adding energy from CWG during the fiber reduction period can improve feed efficiency, but was unsuccessful at further improving carcass yield or carcass fat quality. Experiment 4 showed that carcass yield was lower for IC pigs than barrows regardless of dietary DDGS or withdrawal strategy. Also pigs fed 30% DDGS throughout had decreased carcass yield; however, withdrawing DDGS from the diet on d 74 was effective at recovering the yield loss. While DDGS withdrawal strategy was successful at lowering IV, but was unsuccessful at fully lowering IV to values of pigs fed the control diet throughout. Iodine values were somewhat variable within fat depot, showing the jowl and clear plate fat were less accurate in showing changes from the diet, most likely due to the fact they are deposited earlier and are slower to turnover. Iodine value tended to be greater for IC pigs than barrows on d 107, but by d 125 there were no differences in IV between IC and barrows. This dramatic improvement from d 107 to 125 could be caused by the dilution of unsaturated fatty acids, specifically C18:2 and C18:3, due to the rapid deposition of fat in IC pigs.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Joel DeRouchey / Seven experiments using a total of 2,997 nursery and finishing pigs were used to determine the effects of: 1) dietary wheat middlings (midds), dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), and NE diet formulation on nursery pig growth performance; 2) corn particle size, complete diet grinding, and diet form on finishing pig growth performance, and carcass characteristics, and 3) particle size, complete diet grinding, and diet form on nursery pig growth. Experiments 1-4 evaluated dietary wheat middlings at levels of up to 20% of the diet for 7 to 23 kg pigs. Increasing dietary midds decreased growth performance but mainly when 10% of more was added. Balancing diets containing 10 or 20% midds on a NE basis had no significant effects on performance compared with not adjusting for NE of the diet. In Exp. 5, the effects of decreasing particle size, complete diet grinding, and diet form were evaluated on finishing pig growth performance, and carcass characteristics. Diet form × portion ground interactions existed for ADG, ADFI, and HCW as grinding the complete diet in meal form was detrimental to performance but advantageous to performance when diets were fed in pelleted form. Reducing the particle size of corn improved G:F and caloric efficiencies. Pelleting the diet improved ADG, G:F, caloric efficiencies, HCW, and loin depth. Experiment 6 evaluated varying particle sizes, diet form, and complete diet grinding on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs fed pelleted diets had improved ADG, G:F, and caloric efficiencies. Fine grinding corn or the complete diet with high by-products diet decreased ADG, ADFI, G:F, and final BW. Experiment 7 evaluated varying particle sizes of corn and DDGS, diet form, and complete diet grinding on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs fed finely ground corn had decreased ADFI when the diet was fed in pellet form and more severe reductions in ADFI when diets were fed in meal form resulting in a diet form × corn particle size interaction. Pigs fed pelleted diets had decreased ADG, ADFI, G:F and final BW, but improved caloric efficiencies. Finely grinding corn decreased ADG, and feeding DDGS decreased ADG, ADFI, and NE caloric efficiency.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Robert Goodband / Three experiments used 1,756 pigs to evaluate the effects of corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) varying in oil content on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and fat quality in growing-finishing pigs. A fourth experiment used 12 pigs and determined the energy concentration and nutrient digestibility of the DDGS sources used in the previous 3 growth studies. Lastly, a fifth experiment used 576 pigs to determine the effects of DDGS and wheat middlings (midds) withdrawal 24 d before harvest in diets without or with ractopamine HCl (RAC) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, fat quality, and organ/intestine weights. Experiment 1 determined that increasing 7.4% oil DDGS decreased (linear, P < 0.02) ADG and G:F. Also, final BW, HCW, and carcass yield decreased (linear, P < 0.03), but jowl iodine value (IV) increased (linear, P < 0.001) as DDGS increased. Experiments 2 and 3 utilized DDGS sources that contained 5.2 vs. 9.3, and 9.2 vs. 11.8% oil, respectively. In brief, results suggested that while ADG was unaffected, feeding DDGS with 5.2% oil reduced G:F. In Exp. 4, stepwise regression was used to develop prediction equations based to determine that a 1% change in oil content of DDGS will change the DE by 71 kcal/kg and NE by 118 kcal/kg. Experiment 5 determined that pigs fed corn-soy (CS) diets throughout the finishing phase had greater (P < 0.03) ADG, G:F, and carcass yield and lower (P < 0.01) IV than those fed high fiber (HF; DDGS and wheat midds) diets throughout, with pigs fed the fiber withdrawal intermediately. Pigs fed RAC had greater (P < 0.01) ADG, G:F, and carcass yield than pigs not fed RAC. Iodine values were lowest (P < 0.01) for pigs fed the CS diets, highest (P < 0.01) for those fed HF diets throughout, and intermediate for pigs fed the withdrawal diet. Withdrawal of the HF diet to a CS diet partially mitigated negative effects on carcass yield and IV, and feeding RAC, regardless of dietary fiber regimen, improved growth performance and carcass yield.

Orientadora: Jane Maria Bertocco Ezequiel / Banca: Antonio Tadeu de Andrade / Banca: Antonio Ferriani Branco / Resumo: A glicerina vem sendo obtida a partir do refino do biodiesel de oleaginosas e não possui legislação específica para seu descarte. Esta representa cerca de 10% da massa total resultante do processo de produção do biodiesel. No ano de 2010 foi aprovado o uso do B5, com isso o excedente de glicerina bruta no mercado poderá alcançar a 325 mil toneladas/ ano, portanto a necessidade de encontrar uma correta destinação a glicerina ou toda questão ambiental do biodiesel será prejudicada. Atualmente estuda-se a possibilidade de utilização da glicerina bruta nas rações animais como fonte energética. A glicerina terá uma destinação segura sem problemas com poluição. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as inclusões de 0, 10 e 20% de glicerina bruta na matéria seca das dietas para terminação de novilhas da raça Nelore. Para isso utilizou-se de 24 novilhas da raça Nelore com 24 meses de idade e peso corporal médio de 264,4 kg. Foram avaliados o desempenho e as características de carcaça, digestibilidade aparente das dietas e características da carne. A relação volumoso:concentrado utilizada foi de 30:70. Os concentrados utilizados foram compostos por milho, casca de soja, farelo de girassol, com ou sem adição de glicerina e silagem de milho como volumoso. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, onde cada tratamento foi composto por 8 repetições em que cada unidade experimental foi constituída por um animal, totalizando 3 tratamentos e 24 animais. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas pelo Programa Computacional SAS (1993), sendo utilizado o teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. A inclusão de 20% de glicerina na matéria seca da dieta pode limitar o consumo de matéria seca. A utilização da glicerina em quantidades acima de 10% na matéria seca pode prejudicar a digestibilidade da fibra em detergente neutro e da hemicelulose... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The glycerin has been obtained from the refining of biodiesel from oilseeds and it has not a specific disposal legislation. The glycerin represents about 10% of the total result of the production process of biodiesel. In the year 2010 the Brazilian Government approved the use of B5, and the surplus of crude glycerin on the market may reach 325 thousand tons / year, so the need of finding a proper disposal for this byproduct is eminent or any environmental issue of biodiesel will be impaired. Nowadays it's been studied the possibility of using the crude glycerin in animal feeds as an energy source. The glycerin will have a safe destination without problems with pollution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of 0, 10 and 20% of crude glycerin in the dry matters of the diets for finishing Nellore heifers. For this it was used 24 Nellore heifers with 264.4 kg BW in average and 24 months old. It was evaluated the performance and carcass characteristics, apparent digestibility of diets and meat characteristics. The roughage: concentrate ratio used was 30:70. The concentrates used were composed by corn, soybean hulls, sunflower meal, with or without the addition of glycerin and corn silage as roughage. The experimental design was a completely randomized, where each treatment consisted of 8 replicates in each experimental unit consisted of one animal, a total of 3 treatments and 24 animals. Statistical analysis was performed by the computer program SAS (1993), and it was used the Tukey test at 5% of probability. The inclusion of 20% of glycerin in the diet dry matter may limit the dry matter intake. The use of glycerin in amounts up to 10% in dry matter can affect the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and hemicellulose, perhaps due to changes in the ruminal flora. Glycerin decreased the amount of fatty acids and linolenic acid, but increased the amount of conjugated... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o temperamento durante o período de confinamento através das análises das correlações entre três indicadores de temperamento (Escore de Reatividade, Velocidade de Fuga e Avaliação Qualitativa de Comportamento). Foram utilizados 124 bovinos machos inteiros, filhos de cruzamento de touros Angus e vacas Nelore, com peso vivo inicial médio de 286 kg &plusmn;14,2 e com idade média de 17 &plusmn;1 meses, alojados em currais de confinamento, com área de 25,8 m2 por animal, e disponibilidade de 6 m2 por animal de sombreamento artificial. O confinamento teve duração de 130 dias (18 dias de adaptação + 112 dias de experimento). Foi registrado o temperamento dos garrotes, por meio dos testes de Escore de Reatividade (ER), Velocidade de Fuga (VF) e Avaliação Qualitativa do Comportamento (QBA), durante o manejo de pesagem a cada 28 dias no tronco de contenção. Os dados de QBA foram analisados por duas variâncias distintas após transformação em arco seno raiz quando não normalizados, uma com efeito fixo de categoria de VF (lento, mediano, rápido) e outra com efeito fixo de ER, sempre considerando os efeitos de animais como medida repetida no tempo. Correlações de Spearman entre todos os parâmetros foram realizadas. O escore de reatividade na balança (ER) apresentou correlações positivas com as categorias de QBA \"atividade motora\", \"amedrontado\" e \"agitado\", enquanto que, para as categorias \"relaxamento\" e \"calmo\" houveram correlações negativas (r = -0,54 e r = -0,54). A velocidade de fuga apresentou correlação positiva (r = 0,57) com o escore de reatividade. A concentração de cortisol sérico apresentou correlação positiva com as categorias \"atividade motora\" (r = 0,42), \"amedrontado\" (r = 0,46) e, \"agitado\" (r = 0,50) e correlação negativa com \"relaxamento\" e \"calmo\", como esperado. Em relação ao escore de reatividade, houve correlação positiva com os níveis séricos de cortisol (r = 0,38). Houve diferença significativa entre os parâmetros de QBA, VF e cortisol nas classes de escore de reatividade, sendo as maiores médias encontradas na classe 4, para as categorias de QBA \"atividade motora\", \"amedrontado\" e \"agitado\", com médias de 3,46; 5,30 e 5,16, respectivamente, e de 2,16 para VF, e 4,17 para cortisol. Os três indicadores de temperamento estudados decresceram durante o período de confinamento. É possível concluir que as avaliações qualitativas de comportamento (QBA) se mostraram eficientes para um entendimento da relação entre os indicadores de temperamento (ER e VF) e os níveis de estresse (cortisol sérico). Os animais confinados apresentaram melhora no temperamento durante o período de confinamento, devido a um possível processo de habituação, através do manejo no tronco ou do convívio direto com os humanos envolvidos no manejo diário. / This study aimed to evaluate the temperament during the confinement period by analyzing the correlations between three temperament indicators (Reactivity Score, Flight Speed and Qualitative Behavior Assessment). A total of 124 male steers were used, crossbred Angus bulls and Nellore cows, with mean initial live weight of 286 kg &plusmn;14.2 and mean age of 17 &plusmn;1 months housed in confinement pens with an area of 25.8 m2 per animal, and availability of 6 m2 of artificial shading per animal. The confinement lasted for 130 days (18 days of adaptation + 112 days of experiment). It was recorded temperament of steers by means of Reactivity Score (RS), Flight Speed (FS) and Qualitative Behavioral Assessment (QBA) during weighing handling every 28 days in the Squeeze shut. The QBA data were analyzed by two distinct variances after transformation in a sine root arc when not normalized, one with fixed effect of FS category (slow, medium, fast) and another with fixed effect of RS, always considering the effects of animals as repeated measure in time. Spearman correlations among all parameters were performed. The reactivity score during weighing showed a positive correlation with the categories of QBA \"motor activity\", \"frightened\" and \"agitated\", whereas for the \"relaxation\" and \"calm\" categories there were negative correlations (r = -0.54 e r = -0.54). The flight speed showed a positive correlation (r = 0.57) with the reactivity score. Serum cortisol concentration was positively correlated with \"motor activity\" (r = 0.42), \"frightened\" (r = 0.46) and \"agitated\" (r = 0.50) and negatively correlated with \"relaxation\" and \"calm\" as expected. Regarding the reactivity score, there was a positive correlation with serum cortisol levels (r = 0.38). There was a significant difference between the QBA, FS and cortisol parameters in the reactivity score classes, with the highest averages found in class 4, for the QBA categories \"motor activity\", \"frightened\" and \"agitated\", with averages of 3.46; 5.30 and 5.16, respectively, and 2.16 for FS, and 4.17 for cortisol. The three temperament indicators studied decreased during the confinement period. It is possible to conclude that the qualitative evaluations of behavior (QBA) were efficient for an understanding of the relationship between the temperament indicators (RS and FS) and stress levels (serum cortisol). Confined animals presented improvement in temperament during the confinement period due to a possible habituation process, through trunk management or direct contact with the humans involved in the daily management.

O presente estudo avaliou a influência do hipoclorito de sódio a 1% e 2,5% na qualidade do acabamento superficial e na resistência à corrosão de duas limas endodônticas: Race® e Hyflex® através de ensaio eletroquímico de polarização potenciodinâmica cíclica (EPPC) e imagens obtidas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Para o EPPC foram utilizados vinte limas de cada marca comercial (#25, conicidade 0.04 e 25 mm de comprimento). Dez dos vinte instrumentos foram individualmente fixados pelo cabo a uma ponta de fio de cobre 0,12 mm de 20 cm de comprimento e posicionado no interior de uma célula eletroquímica com 500 mL de solução de hipoclorito de sódio (NaClO) 1% (Fórmula&Ação) à temperatura ambiente controlada em 23 ºC (±2) até cobrir a parte ativa do instrumento. Os registros foram feitos com o potenciostato da PAR modelo 273A. O ensaio foi repetido nos mesmos padrões para as outras dez limas da mesma marca comercial com o NaClO 2,5%. Além do EPPC, as limas foram submetidas a exames e análises em MEV antes e depois do teste de corrosão para a obtenção de fotomicrografias dos 3 (três) mm finais de cada lima com o intuito de estabelecer parâmetros para a avaliação final. Das fotomicrografias obtidas, 72 foram escolhidas, inseridas no Power Point sem legenda original de identificação, numeradas aleatoriamente para avaliação e projetadas num monitor para 06 avaliadores orientados e calibrados. Os dados obtidos foram tabulados e submetidos aos testes estatísticos pertinentes (Friedman, Wilcoxon e Mann-Whitney). A lima Hyflex® apresentou uma quantidade maior de alterações superficiais (ranhuras, manchas e materiais depositados) antes e depois do ensaio sendo mais suscetível à corrosão. Race® apresentou uma superfície mais polida e regular. Em relação a concentração do NaClO, percebeu-se que os defeitos presentes se tornavam mais evidentes para a concentração maior (2,5%). Nas duas concentrações os itens que apresentaram diferença significativa foram bordas, ranhuras, microcavidades, rebarbas e material depositado. Concluiuse que o acabamento superficial e a concentração da solução de NaClO influenciam a resistência à corrosão dos instrumentos de NiTi. A lima Race® apresentou menor corrosão e melhor acabamento de superfície do que a lima Hyflex® nas condições experimentais testadas. / The present paper evaluated the influence of 1% and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite in the quality of the surface finishing and resistance to corrosion of two endodontic files: Race® and Hyflex® by electrochemical test of cyclic power dynamics polarization (EPPC) and images obtained by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Twenty files of each commercial brand (#25, 0.04 taper and 25 mm length) were used in EPPC. Ten from the twenty instruments were individually fixed by the handle to a copper wire tip (0.12 mm diameter and 20 cm length) and placed in the interior of an electrochemical cell with 500 mL sodium hypochlorite solution (NaCIO) 1% (Fórmula e Ação) at the environment temperature controlled in 23ºC (±2) until covering the active part of the instrument. Recordings were made with a PAR potentiostat model 273A. The test was repeated in the same pattern to the other ten files from the same commercial brand with NaClO 2.5%. Besides EPPC, the files were submitted to the scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) test before and after the corrosion test to obtain photomicrographs of the final 3 mm of each file in order to establish the parameters for final evaluation. From the obtained photomicrographs, 72 were chosen and inserted in the Power Point without the original identification legend, randomly numbered for evaluation and projected on the screen to the 06 guided and calibrated evaluators. Data obtained were tabbed and submitted to the relevant statistical tests (Friedman, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney). The Hyflex® file showed a higher amount of surface alterations (grooves, stains and deposited materials) before and after the test, being more susceptible to corrosion. Race® showed a more polished and regular surface. As to the NaClO concentration, it was seen that the present defects became more evident in the higher concentration (2.5%). In the two concentrations, the items that presented significant differences were edges, grooves, micro cavities, margins and deposited materials. Conclusion was that surface finishing and the concentration of the NaClO solution influenced the resistance to corrosion of NiTi instruments. The Race® file showed the least corrosion and the best surface finishing compared to the Hyflex® file under the tested experimental conditions.