RESUMO
Reconstructive and regenerative bone surgery is based on the use of high-tech biocompatible implants needed to restore the functions of the musculoskeletal system of patients. Ti6Al4V is one of the most widely used titanium alloys for a variety of applications where low density and excellent corrosion resistance are required, including biomechanical applications (implants and prostheses). Calcium silicate or wollastonite (CaSiO3) and calcium hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a bioceramic material used in biomedicine due to its bioactive properties, which can potentially be used for bone repair. In this regard, the research investigates the possibility of using spark plasma sintering technology to obtain new CaSiO3-HAp biocomposite ceramics reinforced with a Ti6Al4V titanium alloy matrix obtained by additive manufacturing. The phase and elemental compositions, structure, and morphology of the initial CaSiO3-HAp powder and its ceramic metal biocomposite were studied by X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis methods. The spark plasma sintering technology was shown to be efficient for the consolidation of CaSiO3-HAp powder in volume with a Ti6Al4V reinforcing matrix to obtain a ceramic metal biocomposite of an integral form. Vickers microhardness values were determined for the alloy and bioceramics (~500 and 560 HV, respectively), as well as for their interface area (~640 HV). An assessment of the critical stress intensity factor KIc (crack resistance) was performed. The research result is new and represents a prospect for the creation of high-tech implant products for regenerative bone surgery.
RESUMO
Synthetic calcium silicates and phosphates are promising compounds for targeted drug delivery for the effective treatment of cancerous tumors, and for minimizing toxic effects on the patient's entire body. This work presents an original synthesis of a composite based on crystalline wollastonite CaSiO3 and combeite Na4Ca4(Si6O18), using a sea urchin Mesocentrotus nudus skeleton by microwave heating under hydrothermal conditions. The phase and elemental composition and structure of the obtained composite were studied by XRF, REM, BET, and EDS methods, depending on the microwave heating time of 30 or 60 min, respectively, and the influence of thermo-oxidative post-treatment of samples. The role of the sea urchin skeleton in the synthesis was shown. First, it provides a raw material base (source of Ca2+) for the formation of the calcium silicate composite. Second, it is a matrix for the formation of its porous inorganic framework. The sorption capacity of the composite, with respect to 5-fluorouracil, was estimated, the value of which was 12.3 mg/L. The resulting composite is a promising carrier for the targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs. The mechanism of drug release from an inorganic natural matrix was also evaluated by fitting its release profile to various mathematical models.
RESUMO
The application of titanium and its alloys under friction conditions is severely restricted, owing to their poor wear resistance. The paper presents the results of studies of the composition, microstructure, and tribological properties of Ti-TiC-based composite coatings formed on titanium alloys by the electroarc treatment in an aqueous electrolyte using a graphite anode. It has been found that TiC grains have a different stoichiometry and do not contain oxygen. The grain size varies from hundreds of nanometers to tens of micrometers, and the micro-hardness of the treated surface reached the value of 29.5 GPa. The wear resistance of the treated surface increased approximately 40-fold, and the friction coefficient with steel decreased to 0.08-0.3 depending on the friction conditions. The formation of a composite material based on Ti-TiC will contribute to the effective protection of titanium alloys from frictional loads in engineering.
RESUMO
The paper describes the method for producing WC-10wt%Co hard alloy with 99.6% of the theoretical density and a Vickers hardness of ~1400 HV 0.5. Experimental data on densification dynamics, phase composition, morphology, mechanical properties, and grain size distribution of WC-10%wtCo using spark plasma sintering (SPS) within the range of 1000-1200 °C are presented. The high quality of the product is provided by the advanced method of high-speed powder mixture SPS-consolidation at achieving a high degree of densification with minimal calculated grain growth at 1200 °C.