The electrochemical behaviour of two commercial titanium alloys Ti-6Al-4 V (ASTM F136) and Ti-13Nb-13Zr (ASTM F1713) was investigated in Ringer physiological solution at two pH values (5.5 and 7.0). The corrosion properties were examined by using electrochemical techniques: Potentiodynamic anodic polarization, cyclic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrochemical corrosion properties of both alloys at different conditions were measured in terms of corrosion potential (E (corr)), corrosion current density (i (corr)) and passivation current density (i (pass)). Equivalent electrical circuits were used to modulate EIS data, in order to characterize alloys surface and better understanding the pH effect on the interface alloy/solution.

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Os espaçamentos interdendríticos primário e secundário são parâmetros microestruturais que exercem significativa influência nas propriedades mecânicas de peças fundidas. Foram testados, através de simulação numérica, diferentes modelos fornecidos pela literatura para a previsão da redistribuição de soluto e dos parâmetros microestruturais em função dos parâmetros térmicos. Os resultados numéricos são confrontados com experimentais obtidos para o aço inoxidável austenítico AISI 304 solidificado direcionalmente, permitindo a determinação dos modelos mais adequados para as condições empregadas. A solidificação direcional foi obtida através de uma coquilha de cobre refrigerada à água colocada na parte inferior de um dispositivo projetado e construído. Foram obtidos os perfis de temperatura, para várias posições a partir da interface metal/coquilha, através do emprego de termopares do tipo S e de um sistema de aquisição de dados computadorizado. Com os perfis térmicos foram determinados os principais parâmetros térmicos do processo de solidificação, isto é, a velocidade de crescimento da ponta da dendrita, o gradiente térmico à frente da isoterma liquidus e a taxa de resfriamento. Para a determinação e quantificação das fases formadas, utilizaram-se microscopia ótica e MEV.
In the case of dendritic structure, the mechanical properties of foundry products depend on the parameters: primary and secondary arm spacings. Therefore, it is very important that the computational programs use reliable equations for correlating the calculated thermal parameters with the obtained interdendritic spacings. This study presents a numerical and experimental analysis of some models for predicting the secondary arm spacings as a function of thermal parameters. The comparison between the numeric and experimental results for stainless steel permits the determination of the adequate equation for unidirectional solidification

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Hydroxyapatite (HA) coated onto titanium alloys by atmospheric plasma-arc spraying is a promising technique for improving biocompatibility of materials. The tissue adherence to the HA coating increases when compared to the provided by the natural environment of the human body. Hidroxyapatite coating applied to a Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy substrate by plasma spray was characterized morphologically via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray diffraction. X-Ray diffraction results of the HA layer indicated the presence of crystalline HA, amorphous phase and another constituents, like tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and calcium oxide. However, after annealing at a temperature of 600oC there was recristalisation of the amorphous phase and transformation of some of the TCP to HA. SEM results revealed a lamellar morphology which is typical of plasma sprayed surfaces. The HA/alloy interface exhibited some irregularities, however these are not present in the majority of the interfacial area.