Fabrication and Optimization of Electrophoretic Deposition Parameters Using Alternating Current by Taguchi Design

The aim of this work is to optimize EPD variables (voltage, time, and focus) using alternating current through the Taguchi Design of Experiment (DOE). Coating Nano hydroxyapatite (Nano-HA) on a Ti6Al4V substrate depends on thickness and roughness, then characterization of a coating layer to determine the optimum state. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) powder was deposited on a Ti-6Al-4V alloy substrate by electro-deposition with ethanol as a solvent under AC current, to improve the alloy surface quality based on coating thickness and maximum coating mass meeting the requirements of a biological orthopedics application. Ethanol was used as a solvent to precipitate ketazone and HAp on the base alloy. Taguchi's approach was used in order to determine the optimal conditions for EPD and subsequently to apply various criteria for depositing the biochemical coating. The surface and cross-section composition of the paint is described by characterization. Numerous tests and inspections; Zeta, XRD and SEM stability test, water contact angle and optical microscopes were used to describe the surface morphology of the HAp layer. The value of the optimum conditions for deposition of the HAp layer which is a simultaneous thickness and maximum coating mass, was predicted at a sedimentation voltage of 40 V, 2 min sedimentation time and 1 g / L for the concentration of the suspended solution at room temperature. The validity of the model resulting from the response surface methodology was assessed by comparing the expected results with the experimental results. In addition, close agreement was observed between the experimental results and the expected results. For the solution at room temperature, the results obtained with the highest value of the coating thickness of 41at the surface roughness of 0.94 and the contact angle of the alloy before coating is 67.489º reduced to. 38.132º after plating, which indicates an increase in the harmony of the metal implant and biocompatibility.

Comparison of Different Magnesium Hydroxide Coatings Applied on Concrete Substrates (Sewer Pipes) for Protection against Bio-Corrosion

Several coatings and linings have been examined and used for the protection of sewer concrete pipes, against mainly biogenic-provoked corrosion due to the production of bio-sulfuric acid, leading to the degradation of the pipes’ structure and eventually, to their collapse and need for costly replacement. This study aimed to examine the potential differences between five different magnesium hydroxide coatings, prepared from powders presenting different purity, surface area and pore size distribution, when applied as corrosion protection agents. These coatings were tested by using accelerated sulfuric acid spraying tests, both in dry and wet coating conditions. The coating adhesion ability and their microstructure were examined by the application of pull-off measurements and of SEM analysis, respectively and were found to present certain differences, regarding the adhesion ability and the surface morphologies. During the acid spraying procedure, the surface pH and the mass change of coated concrete specimens were recorded daily. The surface pH was reduced towards acidic values and the mass reduction approached almost −20% in comparison with the initial coating mass for certain cases. Additionally, the hardness and roughness of concrete surface under the coating layer (i.e., the interface between the coating and the surface) after four days of acid spraying, exhibited much smaller changes (due to protection) in contrast to the uncoated concrete specimens (used as blank/comparison experiments), which were found to be highly affected/corroded. The formation of concrete corrosion and coating by-products, as noticed after the respective chemical reactions, was recorded by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and the respective quantification of obtained results. In all the coated specimens only very small amounts of the major by-product (gypsum) was observed, indicating that the concrete surface was sufficiently protected from sulfuric acid attack.

Transformation of Industrial By-Products into Composite Photocatalytic Materials

The transformation of both calcareous and siliceous Greek power station by-products (lignite ashes) into novel composite materials with photocatalytic properties for environmental application was investigated. Particularly, a comparison between the development of coated ceramic substrates and the modification of ash surfaces is attempted. Specifically, a) the sintering process (1000 °C, 2 h) of both fly and bottom ash (either calcareous or siliceous) for their conversion into compacted ceramic substrates coated with TiO2 slurry and then further thermally treated (500 °C, 1 h) to acquire TiO2 film consistency onto the ceramic substrate and b) the process of TiO2 precipitation on lignite ash surfaces in acidic solution after neutralization, and estimation of the TiO2 percentage, are compared. The microstructures obtained were examined by XRD and SEM-EDX analysis. Vickers microhardness was also determined for the ceramic microstructures, with satisfactory results (up to 356HV). The energy gap measurements of the coatings were found to be between 3.02eV and 3.17eV, which is located between the energy gap of anatase (3.23eV) and rutile (3.02eV). The coating mass was about 0.059 g/cm2. The photocatalytic activity under visible and UV irradiation was investigated in aqueous solutions of methylene blue and methyl orange organic dyes, with encouraging results. A main advantage of the processes proposed is the immobilization of TiO2 onto largely available secondary resources, which can lead to production of value-added ‘green’ photocatalysts for the treatment of industrial effluents in the framework of circular economy.

Development of an antifibrotic drug-eluting coating for a minimally invasive implantable glaucoma microstent

Primary open angle glaucoma represents an eye disease that usually is associated with an increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Implants for micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) are gaining importance as a promising option for IOP lowering. Currently available devices are implanted into the eye ab interno based on a clear corneal incision and drain aqueous humour into the schlemm’s canal, suprachoroidal or subconjunctival space. Fibrosis is known as a major limitation for long term success and often leads to the necessity of an additional medication or a surgical re-intervention. The current work focusses on the development of an antifibrotic drug-eluting coating for a minimally invasive implantable glaucoma microstent. Tubular microstent base bodies manufactured from a polycarbonate based silicone elastomer were spray-coated with a chloroform based mixture of the same polymer and the antifibrotic drug pirfenidone (PFD, P2116, Merck KGaA, Germany) in a polymer/drug ratio of 85/15% (w/w). Coating mass of 89 μg according to a drug loading of 1.96 μg mm-2 was aspired. Coating mass was measured using an ultramicrobalance (XP6U, Mettler-Toledo International, Inc., Switzerland). Glaucoma microstent prototypes with a drugeluting coating mass of (84 ± 19) μg (n = 12) were manufactured. Characterization by means of scanning electron microscopy (Quattro S, Thermo Fisher Scientific, FEI Deutschland GmbH, Germany) yielded a reproducible smooth surface of the coating. High performance liquid chromatography (KNAUER Wissenschaftliche Geräte GmbH, Germany) was used for analysis of drug release behaviour in 0.9% NaCl solution at 37°C. The in vitro PFDrelease is characterized by an initial burst phase of approximately 6 h followed by a more retarded release phase. The entire drug was released within 36 h (n = 3). Sterilization processing has a minor impact on drug release kinetics. Appropriate drug stability after sterilization could be proven. Future studies will focus on the antifibrotic properties of drug-eluting glaucoma microstents in animal studies.

ANALISA PENGGUNAAN SILICON CONTROLLED RECTIFIER PADA ELEKTROPLATING TEMBAGA/BAJA KARBON RENDAH

Electroplating is one of the engineering improvements in the characteristics of metal materials. Copper coating is a pre-coating before further coating for steel. The surface area of the material is in line with the strong current requirements required for the normal coating process. However, too much current flowing into the cathode results in erosion at the anode. Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) is a component made of semiconductor silicon. It has a function as a controller or switch. Silicon Controlled Rectifiers can be used to reduce coating currents in copper electroplating. The setting of the coating current can be done on copper electroplating of low carbon steel cathodes with a cross-sectional area of 7500 mm2 of 4.5 A; 5 A; 6 A; 6.5 A and 6.7 A. The best copper coating results with a 10 minute coating time are shown in the current 6.5 A with a coating mass of 1.11 grams and 1.06 grams. This proves the need for a reduction in the maximum flow so that optimal coating is achieved.