Effect of silver on antibacterial properties of stainless steel

The microstructural variation and antibacterial properties of the AISI 304 stainless steel containing silver (Ag) element have been investigated by means of optical microscopy (OM), grazing incidence X-ray diffractometry (GIXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). Furthermore, the antibacterial testing was performed according to JIS Z2801:2000 specification. As the alloy contained Ag elements, the microstructure of the alloys was a mixture of (α + γ + Ag-rich compound)-phases. The amounts of α phase and Ag-rich compound increased as Ag contents increased. The Ag-rich compound has FCC structure with the lattice parameter a = 0.251 nm. No precipitates were found within the matrix and grain boundaries in the present alloys after SHT. Moreover, when the alloy is added to Ag element, antibacterial property was seen obvious against E. coli. It has an AR nearly of 100%.     

Coupling coefficient for cw CO2 laser radiation on stainless steel

Coupling coefficients for 10.6μm laser radiation on stainless steel have been measured experimentally under oxidizing and vacuum conditions. A theoretical model has been developed that relates the growth of an oxide layer to changes in coupling coefficients.     

Study into penetration speed during CO2 laser cutting of stainless steel

Laser cutting quality depends upon the proper selection of laser and workpiece parameters. Laser cut quality drops considerably when the size of the surface plasma increases. This plasma affects the speed of penetration, which in turn affects the cut quality. The present study examines the measurement of the penetration speed during CO₂ laser cutting of stainless steel workpieces. To achieve this, three different methods were employed, namely, optical, thermocouple and wire methods. Oxygen and an argon-oxygen gas mixture were used as assisting gases. Penetration speed was also predicted, using a one-dimensional heat transfer model. It was concluded that the cut quality improves when penetration speed is at a maximum.     

Characteristics of CO2 corrosion scale formed on N80 steel in stratum water with saturated CO2

The component and structure of CO₂ corrosion scale formed on N80 tubing steel were studied by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM); the electrochemical property of N80 steel covered by corrosion scale was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results shows a double-layer structure of the corrosion scale, in which the principal component of the outer layer is FeCO₃ with a limited amount of ∂-FeOOH; while for the inner scale, FeCO₃ is still the major component, but some Fe positions in FeCO₃ lattice are substituted by Ca, and form a composite compound of (Fe,Ca)CO₃ in the inner scale. EIS study shows that the anodic impedance spectrum has three time constants, i.e., the capacitance at high frequency, Warburg impedance at middle frequency and capacitance at low frequency.     

Laser surface alloying of Ni-plated steel with CO2 laser

Laser surface alloying of low carbon steel electroplated with thin (10 μm) Ni using an 850 W CW CO₂ laser is reported for the first time. Fe-Ni binary alloys of different concentrations are formed by varying laser traverse speed from 0.5 to 5 m/min. The phase transformation from α to α + γ is discussed as a function of Ni contents. Development of microstructure in the modified zone is analysed in terms of solidification rate and Ni concentration. A three-fold increase in the microhardness of the binary alloy is observed. Formation of homogenous, adherent and crack free surface alloys is reported.     

Case hardening of steel by a CO2 laser beam

Case hardening of a carbon steel, Armco Iron, an alloyed steel and a high-speed steel was carried out with a CO₂ laser beam. The indispensibility of an absorptive coating in the laser heat treatment was established. Four coatings capable of absorbing CO₂ laser radiation of a 10.6 μm wave length were examined. The influence of spot size, power and scanning speed on the depth of hardening were studied. Processing at optimal conditions yielded a hardening depth of up to 0.7 mm and a surface hardness of up to 220 H_v.     

Linewidths of HCl broadened by CO2 and N2 and CO broadened by CO2

High resolution measurement of the linewidths of HCl broadened by CO₂ and N₂ and CO broadened by CO₂ have been performed in both the 1-0 and 2-0 bands of HCl and the 2-0 band of CO. The data were analyzed by the direct and the peak absorption methods. Values of the linewidths obtained by the two methods are in good agreement. For |m| ≤ 3, for the case of HCl + CO₂, the agreement is good for the values obtained in both bands of HCl. However for |m| > 3, the HCl + CO₂ linewidths in the 1-0 band are smaller than the corresponding lines in the 2-0 band by as much as 11% for |m| = 9. Lines (|m| ≤ 3) of the 1-0 and 2-0 bands of HCl broadened by CO₂ were also analyzed in terms of the super-Lorentzian line profile proposed by Varanasi, S. K. Sarangi, and G. D. T. Tejwani (J. Quan. Spectr. Radiative Transfer12, 857 (1972)) and the Lorentzian profile. The results indicate that near the line center (within 3γ), the shape of HCl + CO₂ lines are Lorentzian.     

Characterization of the oxides formed at 1000 °C on the AISI 304 stainless steel by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy

The aim of this work is to show the contribution of the infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to the identification of the oxides formed on the AISI 304 stainless steel during isothermal oxidation at 1000 °C, in air. This work focuses on the differentiation of spinel type AB₂O₄ structures and corundum type M₂O₃ structures. It is shown that after 100 h oxidation, the scale is composed of two subscales. The structural analyses were performed both on the adherent subscale and on the external subscale, which spalled off during cooling to room temperature. In the spalled subscale, the infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses exhibit the presence of two spinel phases: Mn_1.5Cr_1.5O₄ and FeCr₂O₄, as well as hematite Fe₂O₃. The FT-IR and XRD analyses of the adherent subscale enable us to distinguish the spinel Mn_1.5Cr_1.5O₄ and FeCr₂O₄ structures which are difficult to identify by XRD alone. Chromia Cr₂O₃ appears to be slightly present in the adherent subscale. According to our results, the parabolic regime of the kinetic curve corresponds to a scale growth mechanism governed by an inward oxygen diffusion.     

Raman intensity measurements of the Fermi diad ν1, 2ν2 in CO2 and CO2

Intensity measurements of the ν₁, 2ν₂ vibrational Raman bands of ¹²CO₂ and ¹³CO₂ lend support to Amat's suggestion that the unperturbed 02⁰0 level is above the 10⁰0 level for ¹²CO₂. For ¹³CO₂, however, the ordering of the levels is reversed.     

Thermal and efficiency analysis of the CO2 laser cutting process

In CO₂ laser gas-assisted cutting process, modeling of the interaction mechanism is important. Consequently, the present study treats the complete problem of the interaction of the melting surface with the boundary layer and describes the behavior of the melting layer. In the analysis, gas–liquid interface parameters are developed and relationships between the parameters influencing the cutting action are identified theoretically. To achieve this, effects of momentum and gas–liquid interface shear stress, due to the assisting gas jet, are considered. The approximate magnitude of the heat absorbed is estimated and melting layer thickness is predicted. An experiment is carried out and the theoretical predictions are compared with the experimental findings. First and second law efficiencies of the cutting process are predicted, which may, then, be used to improve the process. It is found that the assisting jet velocity increases the first and second law efficiencies of the CO₂ laser cutting process.     

Current CO2 laser surgery

With the development of suitable instrumentation, human-engineered to fulfil the requirements of the clinical surgeon and designed to fit in with the physical conditions prevailing in the operating theatre, laser surgery has advanced rapidly in the past few years. It shows signs of even more rapid progress and general acceptance as its application and advantages in more and more fields of surgery are demonstrated.     

Absolute frequencies of CO2 laser transitions by multiplication of CO2 laser difference frequencies

Frequencies of CO₂ laser transitions have been compared to the Cs standard by a four-step frequency chain using difference-frequencies from five CO₂ isotope lasers. A tungsten-nickel diode generates the differences and their harmonics. Measurement of the 10.71 μm R(6) transition of ¹³C¹⁸O₂ is described. The absolute frequency was found to be 27 979 469.512(65) MHz. Simultaneously, the four other CO₂ frequencies in the chain were also determined.     

Absorption spectra of CO2 and CO2 near 1.05 μm

The absolute line intensities of the Fermi triad 2003i-00001 (i = 1, 2, 3) of ¹²C¹⁶O₂ and ¹³C¹⁶O₂ isotopic species of carbon dioxide were retrieved from Fourier-transform spectra recorded at Doppler limited resolution in the region 9200-9700 cm⁻¹. The accuracy of the line intensity determination is estimated to be better than 15% for most lines. The vibrational transition dipole moments squared and Herman-Wallis coefficients have been determined. The global fittings of the observed line intensities within the framework of the effective operators method have been performed. The fitting results reproduce the data within experimental uncertainty.     

ESCA studies of CO2, CS2 and COS

The core level electron spectra of CO₂, CS₂ and COS excited by Mg Kα radiation have been studied to identify shake-up satellite lines associated with ionization from these levels. A number of such lines have been seen and possible assignments have been suggested using the excited states of the molecule as a guide. The valence spectra have also been recorded and they too were found to be rich in shake-up structure. The observed variation of the valence line intensities is discussed and compared with predictions made from an intensity model. The validity of distinguishing between π and σ symmetries in linear molecules in applying the intensity model is confirmed.     

Advanced CO2 laser rangefinders

Factors affecting the design of compact heterodyne- and direct-detection systems are contrasted. Recent UK achievements are placed in context: a TEA laser direct-detection rangefinder and a chirp-pulse-comparison rangefinder-velocimeter are described.     

Characterization of a thin CeO2-ZrO2-Y2O3 films electrochemical deposited on stainless steel

In this paper, we report for the first time formation of a thin CeO₂-ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ films electrodeposited on a stainless steel substrate. The samples have been characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD and XPS data indicate formation of a solid solution and additional existence of Ce³⁺ states near the surface. After annealing, SEM examination has shown a microstructure formed by dispersed spherical agglomerates having a size between 20 and 60 nm.     

CO2 laser cutting of slate

Slate is a natural stone which has the characteristic that shows a well-developed defoliation plane, allowing to easily split it in plates parallel to that plane which are particularly used as tiles for roof building. At present, the manufacturing of slate is mostly manual, being noisy, powdery and unsafe for the worker. Thus, there is a need to introduce new processing methods in order to improve both the working conditions and the quality of the products made of slate.Following the previous work focused on the drilling and cutting of slate tiles using a Nd : YAG laser, we present in this paper the results of the work carried out to explore the possibilities to cut slate plates by using a CO₂ laser. A 1.5 kW CO₂ laser was used to perform different experiments in which, the influence of some processing parameters (average power, assist gas pressure) on the geometry and quality of the cut was studied. The results obtained show that the CO₂ laser is a feasible tool for a successful cutting of slate.     

CO2及其碳同位素比值高精度检测研究

改进了一种基于傅里叶变换红外光谱法测量CO₂气体的装置, 改进后的装置能够提高CO₂检测精度, 并能同时测量CO₂碳同位素比值. 研究了温度和压力对CO₂浓度值和CO₂碳同位素比值测量的影响规律. 利用该装置连续测量了标准CO₂气体和环境大气, 对标准CO₂气体测量得到的CO₂浓度值及其碳同位素比值进行温度和压力影响修正, 获得了较好的精度和准确度. 关键词： 光谱学 同位素比值 傅里叶变换红外光谱 二氧化碳     

In situ monitoring the pulse CO2 laser interaction with 316-L stainless steel using acoustical signals and plasma analysis

In most laser material processing, material removal by different mechanisms is involved. Here, application of acoustic signals with thermoelastic (below threshold) and breakdown origin (above threshold) together with plasma plume analysis as a simple monitoring system of interaction process is suggested. In this research the interaction of pulse CO₂ laser with 200 ns duration and maximum energy of 1.3 J operating at 1 Hz with austenitic stainless steel (316-L) is reported. The results showed that the non-linear point of the curve can serve as a useful indicator of melting fluence threshold (in this case ≈830 J cm⁻²) with corresponding temperature calculated using plasma plume analysis. Higher acoustic amplitudes and larger plasma plume volume indicates more intense interaction. Also, analysis showed that a phase explosion process with material removal (ejecta) in the form of non-adiabatic (i.e., d_t ? α⁻¹) is at play after laser pulse is ended. Also, SEM photographs show different surface quality medication at different laser intensities, which indicates the importance of recoil momentum pressure and possibly electrons and ions densities in heat transfer. Finally, electrochemical test indicate an improved corrosion resistance for laser treated samples compared to untreated ones.     

Biological response of stainless steel surface modified by N2O/O2 glow discharge plasma

Stainless steel wafers were treated with the glow discharge plasma of mixed N₂O and O₂ at different molar ratios at a certain discharge condition to create desirable biological characteristics to the surfaces. It was found that the molar ratio of N₂O to O₂ in the mixture at 1:1 used for plasma surface modification caused high apoptotic percentage. Contact angle measurement showed that the surface of stainless steel samples became very hydrophilic after the plasma modification with a value of 15°-30°. The control stainless steel chips without plasma treatment had a contact angle of 40 ± 2°. The data of Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) indicated that there was a certain amount of oxynitrites formed on the plasma treated surfaces, which was considered to play an important role to cell apoptosis and anti-clot formation in cell culture tests. The ESCA depth profile of up to 250 Å from the top surface showed the change of elemental compositions within 40-50 Å of the surface by the plasma treatment. The decreased platelet attachment, combined with increased apoptosis in fibroblasts is a distinct combination of biological responses arising from the mixed gas plasma treatment. These initial results suggest it may be of particular use relative to stainless steel stents where decreased platelet attachments are advantageous and induction of apoptosis could limit in-stent restenosis.