O presente estudo in vitro analisou o efeito de 3 sucos de fruta com baixo pH (suco de cupuaçu, taperebá e laranja), e saliva artificial (controle) sobre materiais restauradores indicados em lesões cervicais não cariosas: resina composta nanoparticulada (Filtek Z350 XT), cimento de ionômero de vidro resino modificado (Vitremer) e um cimento de ionômero de vidro convencional (Fuji II). Os materiais foram avaliados, quantitativamente, quanto à alteração de: peso, rugosidade superficial e microdureza superficial, e qualitativamente, por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Foram confeccionados 144 corpos de prova para cada teste quantitativo (n=12) e 45 para o MEV (n=3), de (8mm de diâmetro x 2mm de altura). Os corpos de prova foram preparados, mantidos em saliva artificial por 24 h à 37º C, receberam acabamento em politriz, e em seguida foram realizadas as leituras iniciais. Durante um período de 10 dias consecutivos, os corpos de prova foram submetidos ao desafio erosivo (nos respectivos sucos de frutas) durante 30 minutos três vezes ao dia, totalizando 90 minutos/dia e mantidos em saliva artificial entre os intervalos. Após o período de ciclagem erosiva, foram realizadas as leituras finais. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos ao teste t, ANOVA e Tukey. As médias de alteração entre os valores de peso finais e iniciais demonstraram diferença significativa (p<0,01) nos materiais estudados e em todos os sucos estudados, com exceção do Vitremer quando imerso no suco de taperebá (p>0,01). As médias de alteração entre os valores de rugosidade superficial final e inicial demonstraram diferença significativa (p<0,01) para todos os materiais estudados em todos os sucos, exceto a Filtek Z350 XT no grupo controle que não apresentou diferença significativa (p>0,01). A comparação entre os valores de microdureza final e inicial demonstrou diferença significativa (p<0,01) na microdureza dos materiais estudados em todos os meios de imersão, inclusive no grupo controle. De um modo geral o suco de taperebá foi o que provocou a maior alteração na superfície dos materiais restauradores quanto ao peso, rugosidade, microdureza e na microscopia eletrônica de varredura. A resina composta Filtek Z350 XT foi o material restaurador que menos sofreu alterações de superfície. Concluiu-se que os sucos das frutas estudados são capazes de alterar os materiais restauradores, sendo que a resina composta foi o material que sofreu menor alteração. / This in vitro study examined the effects of 3 fruit juices with low pH (cupuaçu, taperebá and orange) and artificial saliva (control) upon restorative materials indicated in noncarious cervical lesions: nanoparticle composite resin (Filtek Z350 XT), resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Vitremer) and a glass ionomer cement (Fuji II). The materials were evaluated quantitatively as for alterations in weight, surface roughness and surface microhardness, and qualitatively by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). 144 specimens were prepared for each quantitative test (n = 12) and 45 for the SEM (n = 3), of (8mm diameter x 2mm height). The specimens were prepared, stored in artificial saliva for 24 hours at 37º C, were finished in a polishing machine, and then the initial readings were performed. During a period of 10 consecutive days, the specimens were subjected to erosive challenge (in the respective juices) for 30 minutes, three times a day, and totaling 90 minutes/day and kept in artificial saliva between intervals. After the erosive cycling period, the final readings were taken. The data were analyzed using t test, ANOVA and Tukey.Test The average alterations between the values of initial and final weight showed significant difference (p < 0.01) in the material studied and all the juices studied, except for Vitremer when immersed in taperebá juice (p > 0.01). The average alterations between the values of initial and final surface roughness showed a significant difference (p < 0.01) for all materials studied in all juices, except for Filtek Z350 XT, in the control group, that showed no significant differences (p > 0.01). The comparison between the values of initial and final microhardness showed a significant difference (p < 0.01) in microhardness of the materials studied in all immersion means, including the control group. In general, taperebá juice was the one that caused the biggest alterations in the surface of restorative materials with respect to weight, roughness, hardness and scanning electronic microscopy. The composite resin Filtek Z350 XT was the restorative material that suffered less surface alterations. It was concluded that the fruit juices studied are capable of altering the restorative materials, and composite resin was the material that has undergone minor changes.

No presente trabalho quatro ligas Al-Si hipereutéticas, três das quais foram produzidas por conformação por \"spray\" e a outra por fundição, foram caracterizadas quanto a textura, dureza, microestrutura e resistência à corrosão em meio de condensado sintético automotivo (CSA). Duas das ligas conformadas por \"spray\" foram retiradas de camisas de cilindro e a outra de um pré-formado obtido em laboratório. A conformação por \"spray\" envolve a atomização de uma liga e a deposição de gotículas em um substrato, antes mesmo que todas se encontrem no estado sólido. Este processo permite a obtenção de materiais que se caracterizam por uma microestrutura livre de macrossegregações e bastante refinada, implicando melhor trabalhabilidade a quente. A caracterização da microestrutura das quatro ligas hipereutéticas revelou a presença de porosidades na liga obtida em laboratório, e microestrutura com distribuição homogênea de precipitados primários nas três ligas conformadas por \"spray\". A microestrutura de uma das ligas apresentou-se muito diferenciada, com a presença de eutético, sugerindo que esta foi fabricada por fundição. Nas camisas de cilindro foram feitas medidas de rugosidade, e em todas as ligas foram realizados ensaios de microdureza. A liga conformada por \"spray\" e obtida em laboratório foi laminada a quente e a frio. Foram realizados também estudos de textura, para tentar estabelecer uma correlação entre todas as ligas quanto ao processo de fabricação. A avaliação da textura indicou que a presença de fases de silício primário, finamente distribuídas impedem o aparecimento de texturas típicas de deformação de ligas de alumínio, mesmo após severas deformações, como as necessárias para a transformação de pré-formados em tubos que originam as camisas de cilindro. As medidas de rugosidade indicaram características próprias do acabamento superficial usado para a produção das camisas, por brunimento ou por ataque químico. Os ensaios de microdureza apresentaram variações de acordo com as rotas de fabricação sendo que a liga eutética apresentou os maiores valores de microdureza em comparação às ligas conformadas por \"spray\". Todas as ligas foram avaliadas quanto a resistência à corrosão por ensaios de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica em dois meios, CSA com pH 3,3 e CSA com pH 11. As quatro ligas hipereutéticas estudadas apresentaram mecanismo de corrosão similar em condensado sintético automotivo (CSA) pH 3,3. Em todas ocorreu o ataque intenso da matriz de alumínio e as partículas de silício primário atuaram como regiões catódicas. A liga 2 apresentou maior resistência à corrosão entre todas as ligas ensaiadas, tanto em CSA pH 3,3 como em pH 11. Neste último meio, uma camada de produtos de corrosão formou-se sobre todas as ligas, e os resultados indicaram mecanismos diferentes para o ataque da matriz de Al e para o crescimento da camada depositada na superfície das ligas estudadas. O ataque da matriz da liga 2 neste meio foi aparentemente mais lento do que sobre as demais ligas, com a formação de uma camada mais compacta de produtos de corrosão, estabelecendo um controle por difusão dos processos interfaciais para maiores períodos de ensaio. A camada formada sobre as demais ligas neste meio apresentou-se mais defeituosa, e nestas ocorreu também menor controle da velocidade das reações interfaciais por processos difusionais. / In the present study four hypereutectic Al-Si alloys, three produced by spray forming and one by casting, were characterized for microhardness, roughness, microstructure, texture and corrosion resistance in a synthetic automotive condensed solution (SACS). Two of the spray formed alloys tested were obtained from cylinder liners and the other was laboratory made. Spray forming involves alloy atomization and droplets deposition on a substrate, previous to the solidification of all of the droplets. This process favours the production of materials with a fine microstructure free of macrosegregation that is related to improved hot workability. The microstructure characterization of the four alloys revealed the presence of porosities in the laboratory made alloy. All the three alloys produced by spray forming showed a homogeneous distribution of primary precipitates. The microstructure of one of the alloys showed eutectic microstructure, indicating that this alloy was fabricated by casting. In the cylinder liners, the surface roughness was measured and the microhardness of all the alloys was also evaluated. Furthermore, the laboratory made alloy was hot and cold rolled. Texture determinations were carried out to investigate the correlation between the alloy type and their fabrication process. The texture investigation indicated that the fine distribution of primary silicon phase in the alloy hindered the development of texture typical of aluminium alloys deformation, even after severe mechanical work, such as those used in the conversion of pre-formed in cylinder liners. The surface roughness results indicated typical characteristics of the surface finishing used, honing or chemical etching. The microhardness results were dependent on the fabrication process used, with higher microhardness associated to the eutectic alloy comparatively to the spray formed ones. All hypereutectic alloys were tested for corrosion resistance using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in two electrolytes, SACS with pH 3.3 and SACS with pH 11. The four tested alloys showed similar corrosion mechanisms in the acid electrolyte (SACS pH 3.3). The intense attack of the aluminium matrix occurred in ali tested alloys and the primary silicon phase was unattacked and appeared as emerging from the surface after corrosion immersion test. The primary silicon particles acted as cathodic sites. The alloy 2 showed the highest corrosion resistance among the tested alloys in both electrolytes, SACS pH 3.3 and SACS pH 11. In this last medium, a layer of corrosion products formed on all the alloys, and the results indicated different mechanisms for the aluminium matrix corrosive attack and growth of the deposited layer on the alloys surface. The kinetics of aluminium matrix attack was apparently slower in the alloy 2 than for the other alloys, resulting in the formation of a more compact layer of corrosion products, leading to diffusion controlled interfacial processes for longer test periods. The layer of corrosion products on the other three alloys (1, 3, and 4) had more defects and for these alloys diffusional controlled interfacial processes were not as significant as for alloy 2.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Tooth-whitening or tooth-bleaching has become an integral part of modern dental practice. Today, a large number of whitening products are available on the market which are commonly categorized into dentist-supervised home bleaching, in-office bleaching and over-the-counter bleaching products according to their mode of application. This thesis looks into safety and efficacy of various tooth-whitening products and methods. / South Africa

A qualidade óssea em grandes animais é avaliada pela densidade mineral óssea (DMO) utilizando a técnica de densitometria óptica em imagens radiográficas; o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar e comparar a qualidade óssea baseada na microarquitetura de uma forma inédita. Foram selecionados 20 bovinos, 10 da raça Canchim e 10 da raça Nelore, com controle dos processos biológicos e bioquímicos do nascimento até o abate aos 24 meses de idade, antes de entrarem na fase adulta. O osso metatarsal foi escolhido por suportar maior carga e amostras da diáfise do osso cortical seco foram obtidas. A avaliação da estrutura cristalina de ossos metatarsais secos foi realizada utilizando difração de raios X com a aplicação do método de refinamento de Rietveld, avaliando parâmetros de rede, tamanho de cristalito e microdeformação. A técnica de nanoindentação permitiu avaliar os módulos de elasticidade e valores de nanoindentação. A composição química razão cálcio e fósforo do material, resistência à deformação plástica, valores de microdureza, e imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia óptica foram realizadas. A comparação entre os resultados das duas raças, Canchim e Nelore, dos valores de parâmetros de rede da estrutura cristalina da hidroxiapatita, tamanho de cristalito, microdeformações, relação cálcio e fósforo, microdurezas Vickers/Knoop, nanodureza Vickers e módulo de elasticidade indicaram que a qualidade óssea das raças Canchim e Nelore é estatisticamente semelhante para 30% dos parâmetros estudados e que para os demais 70% dos parâmetros estudados não há semelhança. / The bone quality in large animals is evaluated by bone mineral density (BMD) using the optical densitometry technique in radiographic images; The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare bone quality based on microarchitecture unpublished. Twenty bovines were selected, 10 from the Canchim breed and 10 from the Nelore breed, with control of the biological and biochemical processes from birth to slaughter at 24 months of age, before entering adulthood. The metatarsal bone was chosen because it supported higher load and samples of the diaphysis of the dry cortical bone were obtained. The evaluation of the crystalline structure of dry metatarsal bones was performed using X - ray diffraction with the application of the Rietveld refinement method, evaluating network parameters, crystallite size and microdeformation. The nanoindentation technique allowed to evaluate the modulus of elasticity and nanoindentation values. The chemical composition calcium and phosphorus ratio of the material, resistance to plastic deformation, values of microhardness, and scanning electron microscopy images and optical microscopy were performed. The comparison between the results of the two races, Canchim and Nelore, of the network parameter values of the hydroxyapatite crystal structure, crystallite size, microdeformations, calcium and phosphorus ratio, Vickers/Knoop microhardness, Vickers nanodness and modulus of elasticity indicated that Quality of the Canchim and Nelore races is statistically similar for 30% of the studied parameters and that for the ofter 70% of the studied parameters there is no similarity.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre a formação e evolução da camada de nitretos sobre substrato de ferro com pureza de 99,83% e do aço AISI H12, nitretados por plasma. As camadas foram obtidas com a variação sistemática das condições de nitretação, como temperatura, tempo e frequência do plasma. A atmosfera de trabalho empregada foi a de uma mistura gasosa de 20% N2 + 80% H2, mantida à pressão constante de 6 mbar, sob fluxo. Uma investigação detalhada da camada nitretada das amostras de ferro foi feita através de desgaste mecânico em passos sucessivos e após cada desgaste, as novas camadas foram analisadas por espectroscopia Môssbauer de elétrons de conversão (CEMS) auxiliadas por outras técnicas, como difração de raios X, microdureza e microscopia ótica e eletrônica. As análises superficiais demonstraram que a camada nitretada é formada por uma mistura de nitretos &#947;-Fe4N, &#949;-Fe3N e-&#949;-Fe3,2N, que variam suas proporções com as condições de nitretação. Abaixo desta camada outros nitretos são formados como e &#949;-FeXN (2&#8804;X&#8804;3,2) e &#945;-Fe16N2. No aço H12, foi estudada a influência da nitretação por plasma em correntes contínua e pulsada. As amostras foram caracterizadas quanto ao perfil de microdureza, perfil de concentração de nitrogênio, difração de raios X e espectroscopia Môssbauer de elétrons de conversão (CEMS) e de raios X de conversão (CXMS). A camada composta próxima à superfície, como vista por CEMS, consiste de uma mistura de &#947;-Fe4N e &#949;-FeX(N, C) enquanto a camada próxima à zona de difusão, investigada por CXMS, consiste de uma mistura de fases &#947;-Fe4N, &#949;-FeX(N, C) Fex(N, C), &#945;-Fe16N2 e &#947;-austenita. O crescimento da camada nitretada quando difundida utilizando corrente contínua segue uma lei parabólica, o que não ocorre com o processo com corrente alternada. Este efeito deve ser devido à taxa de \"sputerring\" do catodo e da difusão auxiliada por radiação, que são mais acentuadas no caso de corrente alternada, para tempos de nitretação t &#8249; 2h. A situação é revertida para t &#8250; 3h. / This work investigates the formation and evolution of nitride layers on a 99.83% pure iron and a AISI H-12 steel substrates by using plasma nitriding processoThe layers were obtained by systematic variation of the nitriding conditions, such as temperature, time and plasma frequency. The employed atmosphere consisted of a gaseous mixture of H2-20% N2, at a constant pressure of 6.0 mbar in f1ux.A detailed investigation of the nitrided layer on iron samples was performed through surface mechanical wear in successive steps. After each step the layer was analysed by Conversion Electron Mõssbauer spectroscopy (CEMS), as well as by other techniques, as X-ray diffraction, microhardness and optical and electronic metallography. The surface analysis of iron samples showed that the nitrided layers are formed bya mixture of &#947;-Fe4N, &#949;-Fe3N e-&#949;-Fe3,2N nitrides, whose proportions have varied with the nitriding conditions. Below this layer, different nitrides are formed, &#949;-FeXN (2&#8804;X&#8804;3,2) e &#945;-Fe16N2. For H-12 steel substrates it was also studied the influence of direct and pulsed current on the layer. The samples were characterized related to the microhardness profile, nitrogen concentration profile, Xray diffraction and Conversion Electron and X-ray Mõssbauer spectroscopy (CEMS) and (CXMS). The near-surface compound layer, as probed by CEMS, consisted of a mixture of &#947;-Fe4N e &#949;-FeX(N, C) phases. The near-diffusion zone compound layer, as probed by CXMS presented a mixture of &#947;-Fe4N , e &#949;-FeX(N, C) Fex(N, C), &#945;-Fe16N2e &#947 and- e &#947-austenite phases. For the plasma process, the growth of the nitride layers in direct current follows the parabolic law, what does not occur when process with pulsed current is used. This effect is probably due to cathode rate sputtering and radiation-enhanced diffusion, the latter being more accentuated in the case of pulsed current, for nitriding times t &#8249 2h. The situation is reversed for t &#8250 3h.

Bulk magnesium materials produced nowadays via powder metallurgy are based on a vastly extensive technological spectrum, which makes it possible to create a wide range of materials. This work focuses on the preparation of bulk materials from magnesium powder by cold pressing and hot pressing, sintering and field assisted sintering. The bulk materials were prepared in a series of compacting pressures from 100 MPa to 500 MPa and the sintering temperatures were selected in the range of 300 ° C to 600 ° C in order to characterize the influence of the manufacturing conditions and technology on the final properties of bulk materials. Prepared materials were evaluated in terms of microstructure, hardness, microhardness, three-point bend test, and fractography. From the hot pressed materials, the samples prepared at 400 and 500 MPa and 400 °C had the highest strength and hardness. The classic sintering of magnesium in the furnace with argon atmosphere proved to be ineffective due to the oxide layer on the surface and the presence of oxygen in technical argon. The SPS sintering (Spark Plasma Sintering) was the more effective with the lower applying pressure used to make the preforms and with the higher applied pressure during the SPS process itself. Highest strength and hardness were achieved in this case of materials sintered at 600 ° C prepared from free powder and the most porous preform (100 MPa). The bulk materials were prepared using all methods used, but the properties of these materials varied considerably depending on the technology used.

This diploma thesis is focused on the surface hardening of cast irons with spheroidal graphite. The work describes a theoretical analysis of the structure and properties of cast irons and individual methods suitable for surface hardening. The practical part describes the production of cast iron castings with spheroidal graphite, on which the surface hardening is performed, tensile test, hardening of produced castings by induction and laser surface hardening, preparation of samples for measuring microhardness and metallographic analysis of metal structures.

The demanding structural applications (e.g. aerospace, biomedical, etc.) require new materials with improved mechanical performance. The novel Ti-based dendrite + nano-/ultrafine-structured (Ti-based DNUS) composites exhibit an advantageous combination of high compressive strength (2000 – 2500 MPa) and large compressive ductility (10 – 30 %) already in the as-cast state [1,2] and, therefore, can be referred as high-performance materials. However, these Ti-based composites frequently exhibit very low or even lack of tensile ductility [3]. Therefore, the aim of this research work is to develop high strength Ti-based DNUS composites with pronounced tensile plasticity and to correlate the mechanical properties with their microstructure. In order to reach the goal, the high-strength Ti66Nb13Cu8Ni6.8Al6.2 (at.%) alloy exhibiting large compressive ductility [4] was selected for the modification. The microstructure of Ti66Nb13Cu8Ni6.8Al6.2 is composed of two metallographic constituents including β-Ti dendrites and an interdendritic component. The β-Ti dendrites are enriched in Nb and, therefore, Nb is referred as “dendritic element” whereas the interdendritic component is enriched in Ni and Cu and, therefore, these are referred as “interdendritic elements”. To perform a systematic study of the “interdendritic elements” (Ni, Cu and Co) effect on microstructure, a number of alloys with different concentration and types of alloying elements (Ti-Nb-Cu-Ni-Al, Ti-Nb-Co-Ni-Al, Ti-Nb-Cu-Co-Al and Ti-Nb-Ni(Co)-Al) were developed. It was shown that a higher concentration of the “interdendritic elements” in a composition within one alloy system corresponds to a higher volume fraction of the interdendritic component. Additionally, the crystal structure of the interdendritic phases is affected by type of the “interdendritic elements”. Since the most advanced applications (e.g. aerospace) require materials with high specific strengths, the new ductile Ti-Nb-Cu-Ni-Al alloys were modified to reduce their density, i.e. the Nb was substituted by lighter V. As a result, a new family of Ti-V-Cu-Ni-Al alloys with improved specific strength compared to the Ti-Nb-Cu-Ni-Al alloys was developed. Additionally, moduli of resilience of the Ti-V-Ni-Cu-Al alloys are superior when compared with those of the commercial Ti-based spring materials. The effect of microstructure on deformation of the newly developed alloys was studied through the in-situ microstructural analysis of samples at different strained states by means of scanning electron microscopy. To reveal the effect of the metallographic constituents on strength, the microhardness mapping of the new alloys was performed. Using the obtained empirical principles of microstructure adjustment, a new Ti68.8Nb13.6Co6Cu5.1Al6.5 (at.%) alloy with a large static toughness (superior to those of the recently developed Ti-based metallic glass composites) was developed. This large static toughness is due to both high strength and significant tensile plasticity. To study the effect of microstructure on tensile plasticity of Ti68.8Nb13.6Co6Cu5.1Al6.5 the in-situ microstructural analysis of samples at different strained states in the scanning electron microscope as well as the transmission electron microscopy studies were performed. / Der erhöhte Anspruch an strukturelle Anwendungen (z.B. Luftfahrt, Biomedizin, etc.) verlangt neue Werkstoffe mit verbesserten mechanischen Leistungsfähigkeiten. Neuartige Ti-basierte dendritische nano-/ultrafeine Komposite (Ti-basierte DNUS Komposite) besitzen eine vorteilhafte Kombination von hoher Druckfestigkeit mit großer plastischer Verformbarkeit unter Druckbelastung bereits im Gusszustand [1,2] wodurch sie als hochleistungsfähige Werkstoffe angesehen werden. Jedoch besitzen diese Ti-basierte DNUS Komposite heufig eine stark verringerte oder gar keine Duktilität unter Zugbelastung [3]. Deswegen ist es das Ziel dieser Forschungsarbeit neue hochfeste Ti-basierte DNUS Komposite mit ausgeprägter Duktilität unter Zugbelastung zu entwickeln und die mechanischen Eingeschaften mit ihrer Mikrostruktur zu korrelieren. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen wurde die hochfeste Legierung Ti66Nb13Cu8Ni6.8Al6.2 (at.%) [4], die eine große plastische Verformbarkeit unter Druckbelastung aufweist, ausgewählt. Die Mikrostruktur von Ti66Nb13Cu8Ni6.8Al6.2 setzt sich aus zwei metallographischen Konstituenten, einschließlich β-Ti Dendriten und einer interdendritischen Komponente, zusammen. Die β-Ti Dendriten sind mit Nb angereichert, weswegen Nb als “dendritisches Element” bezeichnet wird, wohingegen die interdendritische Komponente mit Ni und Cu angereichert ist und deswegen diese als “interdendritische Elemente” bezeichnet werden. Um den Einfluss der “interdendritischen Elemente” (Ni, Cu and Co) auf die Mikrostruktur zu untersuchen wurden Legierungen mit verschiedenen Konzentrationen unterschiedlicher Legierungselemente (Ti-Nb-Cu-Ni-Al, Ti-Nb-Co-Ni-Al, Ti-Nb-Cu-Co-Al and Ti-Nb-Ni(Co)-Al) entwickelt. Es wurde gezeigt, dass eine höhere Konzentration “interdendritischer Elemente” in einer bestimmten Zusammensetzung einem höheren Volumanteil der interdendritischen Komponente entspricht. Zusätzlich wird die Kristallstruktur der interdendritischen Phase sehr stark durch die “interdendritischen Elemente” beeinflusst. Da die meisten hoch entwickelten Anwendungen (z.B. Luftfahrt) gesteigerte spezifische Festigkeiten erforden, wurden die neuen duktilen Ti-Nb-Cu-Ni-Al Legierungen modifiziert um ihre Dichte zu reduzieren, indem Nb durch das leichtere V ersetzt wurde. Als Ergebniss wurde eine neue Familie von Ti-V-Cu-Ni-Al Legierungen, mit im Vergleich zu Ti-Nb-Cu-Ni-Al Legierungen verbesserten spezifischen Festigkeiten, entwickelt. Zusäzlich ist die elastische Formänderungsenergiedichte der neu entwickelten Legierungen höher verglichen mit kommerziellen Ti-basierten Federmaterialien. Der Effekt der Mikrostruktur auf das Verformungsverhalten der Legierungen wurde mittels in-situ mikrostruktureller Analysen verschiedener Verformungszustände im Rasterelektronenmikroskop untersucht. Um ein Einfluss der metallographischen Konstituenten auf die Festigkeit zu bestimmen wurden Mikrohärtekarten erstellt. Unter Verwendung der erhalten empirischen Prinzipen zur Einstellung der Mikrostruktur wurde eine neue Legierung Ti68.8Nb13.6Co6Cu5.1Al6.5 (at.%) mit hoher statischer Zähigkeit (besser als die der kürzlich entwickelten Ti-basierten gläsernen metallischen Kompositlegierungen) entwickelt. Diese hohe statische Zähigkeit wird sowohl durch die hohe Festigkeit als auch durch die ausgeprägte Plastizität unter Zugbelastung verursacht. Um den Einfluss der Mikrostruktur auf die Plastizität unter Zug zu untersuchen wurde Transmissionelektronmikroskopie sowie in-situ mikrostrukturelle Analysen verschiedener Verformungszustände im Rasterelektronmikroskop durchgefühlt.

A compositionally graded Ti-xCr (10≤x≤30 wt%) alloy has been fabricated using Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENSTM) to study the microstructural phase evolution along a compositional gradient in both as-deposited and heat treated conditions (1000°C followed by furnace cooling or air cooling). The alloys were characterized by SEM BSE imaging, XRD, EBSD, TEM and micro-hardness measurements to determine processing-structure-property relations. For the as-deposited alloy, α-Ti, β-Ti, and TiCr2 (C15 Laves) phases exist in varying phase fractions, which were influential in determining hardness values. With the furnace cooled alloy, there was more homogeneous nucleation of α phase throughout the sample with a larger phase fraction of TiCr2 resulting in increased hardness values. When compared to the air cooled alloy, there was absence of wide scale nucleation of α phase and formation of ω phase within the β phase due to the quicker cooling from elevated temperature. At lower concentrations of Cr, the kinetics resulted in a diffusionless phase transformation of ω phase with increased hardness and a lower phase fraction of TiCr2. In contrast at higher Cr concentrations, α phase separation reaction occurs where the β phase is spinodally decomposed to Cr solute-lean β1 and solute-rich β2 resulting in reduced hardness.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The majority of currently marketed fluoride varnishes (FV) have not been evaluated for their effectiveness in preventing dental caries. Fundamental research on FVs and how different formulations affect adherence to teeth, fluoride release into saliva and uptake by teeth is virtually non-existent. The objective of this work was to investigate the anti-caries potential, measured as fluoride release into saliva, change in surface microhardness of early enamel caries lesions, and enamel fluoride uptake, of multiple commercially available FVs. We have found that FVs differed in their release characteristics, rehardening capability, and ability to deliver fluoride to demineralized lesions. In addition to our in vitro work, we have conducted a clinical study that aimed to compare saliva and plaque fluid fluoride concentrations following the application of three commercially available FV treatments at predetermined post application time points. We also investigated the change in fluoride concentration in saliva and plaque fluid fluoride from baseline to each post application predetermined time point. We found that FVs varied in their release of fluoride into saliva and plaque fluid but shared common trends in release characteristics. The outcomes of our in vitro and in vivo investigations demonstrate a great variation in anti-caries potential of FVs. This may be attributed to different compositions and physical properties of the tested FVs.