Effect of Magnesium Addition and High Energy Processing on the Degradation Behavior of Iron Powder in Modified Hanks’ Solution for Bioabsorbable Implant Applications

This paper shows the results of applying a combination of high energy processing and magnesium (Mg) as an alloying element in a strategy for enhancing the degradation rate of iron (Fe) for applications in the field of non-permanent medical implants. For this purpose, Fe powder was milled with 5 wt% of Mg (Fe5Mg) and its microstructure and characterized degradation behavior. As-received Fe powder was also milled in order to distinguish between the effects due to high energy processing from those due to the presence of Mg. The powders were prepared by high energy planetary ball milling for 16 h. The results show that the initial crystallite size diminishes from >150 nm to 16 nm for Fe and 46 nm for Fe5Mg. Static degradation tests of loose powder particles were performed in Hanks’ solution. Visual inspection of the immersed powders and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) phase quantification indicate that Fe5Mg exhibited the highest degradation rate followed by milled Fe and as received Fe, in this order. The analysis of degradation products of Fe5Mg showed that they consist on magnesium ferrite and pyroaurite, which are known to present good biocompatibility and low toxicity. Differences in structural features and degradation behaviors of milled Fe and milled Fe5Mg suggest the effective dissolution of Mg in the Fe lattice. Based on the obtained results, it can be said that Fe5Mg powder would be a suitable candidate for non-permanent medical implants with a higher degradation rate than Fe.

Development of HPTLC Method for the Estimation of Andrgrapholide from Arjuna Tablet

A simple, rapid, selective and quantitative HPTLC method has been developed for determination of Andrographolide in Arjuna extract and Arjuna tablet formulation. The alcoholic extract of Terminalia Arjuna and its ayurvedic formulation‐Himalaya Arjuna tablet samples were applied on TLC Aluminium plate pre coated with Silica gel60 GF254 and developed using Toluene: Methanol (4:3) v/v as a mobile phase. Quantification was carried out densitometrically using an UV detector at wavelength of 254 nm. The results obtained complies the limit of assay as per I.P.

A Revised Relationship Between Fracture Toughness and Y2O3 Content in Modern Dental Zirconias

<p>The relationship between fracture toughness and Yttria content in modern zirconia ceramics was revised. For that purpose, we evaluated here 10 modern Y₂O₃-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) materials currently used in biomedical applications, namely prosthetic and implant dentistry. The most relevant range between 2-5 mol% Y₂O₃ was addressed by selecting from conventional opaque 3 mol% YSZ up to more translucent compositions (4-5 mol% YSZs). A technical 2YSZ was used to extend the range of our evaluation. The bulk mol% Y₂O₃ concentration was measured by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Phase quantification by Rietveld refinement are supplied by considering only two tetragonal phases or an additional improbable cubic phase. A first-account of the fracture toughness (<i>K</i>_Ic) of the partly-sintered materials is given, which amounted to 0.4 – 0.7 MPaÖm. In the fully-densified state, an inverse power-law behavior was obtained between <i>K</i>_Ic and bulk mol% Y₂O₃ content, whether using only our measurements or including literature data, challenging some established relationships.</p>

A Revised Relationship Between Fracture Toughness and Y2O3 Content in Modern Dental Zirconias

<p>The relationship between fracture toughness and Yttria content in modern zirconia ceramics was revised. For that purpose, we evaluated here 10 modern Y₂O₃-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) materials currently used in biomedical applications, namely prosthetic and implant dentistry. The most relevant range between 2-5 mol% Y₂O₃ was addressed by selecting from conventional opaque 3 mol% YSZ up to more translucent compositions (4-5 mol% YSZs). A technical 2YSZ was used to extend the range of our evaluation. The bulk mol% Y₂O₃ concentration was measured by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Phase quantification by Rietveld refinement are supplied by considering only two tetragonal phases or an additional improbable cubic phase. A first-account of the fracture toughness (<i>K</i>_Ic) of the partly-sintered materials is given, which amounted to 0.4 – 0.7 MPaÖm. In the fully-densified state, an inverse power-law behavior was obtained between <i>K</i>_Ic and bulk mol% Y₂O₃ content, whether using only our measurements or including literature data, challenging some established relationships.</p>

POTENTIAL OF ILMENITE AS A SOLAR ABSORBER

Titanium is considered the fourth most widely used material in industry worldwide. Titanium minerals are currently being applied in various branches of industry, mainly in the field of pigmentation. Ilmenite (FeTiO3) is an iron and titanium oxide of more common and abundant occurrence, with theoretical composition of Fe (36.8%), Ti (31.6%) and O (31.6%). Having regard to the potential of titanium minerals and the abundance of ilmenite, together with the importance of validating direct applications of this ore, since the processing of titanium is still complex and expensive, it is necessary to study this mineral and the knowledge of its main characteristics. This work brings thermal, chemical and mineralogical characterizations of ilmenite, in order to know the potential of application of this ore as a solar absorbing material. The characterization techniques used were: X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement for phase quantification, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), optical spectroscopy in the middle infrared region with Fourier Transformation by Transmittance (FTIR) and thermogravimetric thermal analysis (TGA). The analyzed sample obtained X-ray diffractogram, ilmenite (80.6%) and rutile (19.4%) as significant phases, corroborating the FRX results that indicated greater presence of Fe and titanium oxide in the ilmenite chemical composition under study. The TGA, DTA and DSC analyses indicated good thermal stability of the material in medium and high temperatures. The integration of the obtained data shows that the application of this ore as a precursor material of absorber films for selective purposes is considerable.