No abstract

Operation of several blast furnaces proved that waste plastic (WP) injection makes recycling of industrial and municipal organic wastes and coke saving possible. However, the extent and reaction kinetics of plastic conversion are hardly explored yet. Therefore, a comprehensive study on WP characteristics and conversion behaviour under simulated raceway, bird's nest and shaft conditions, as well as on its interaction with coke, has been undertaken. Numerous analytical, laboratory and pilot facilities have been used. has shown that despite favourable chemistry, it is hardly possible to reach a high conversion degree of plastics under the raceway conditions. Consumption of unburned residues in coke bed and in shaft is possible. The effect of this phenomenon on coke reactivity has to be considered as well.

One potential alternative material to replace hydroxyapatite (HAp) as a coating material for plasma-sprayed coatings on implants for hip replacement is fluorapatite (FAp). FAp has advantages over HAp regarding the capability of being chemically stable during the coating process. This leads to surface coatings containing high apatite rates with a mechanical stability (bond strength, microhardness) comparable to HAp. From the technical point of view the production of FAp coatings is well investigated, although studies on biocompatibility of FAp coatings are fewer. This paper reports the production of HAp and FAp coatings with varying solubilities by plasma spraying and their in vitro cytotoxicity. Varying solubilities were realized by using modified plasma-spray parameters in common with suitable apatite powders with different crystallinities. Coating solubilities were evaluated by immersing the plasma-sprayed coatings in deionized water and electrolyte solution. Afterwards, cytotoxicity tests were performed using a modified half-slide technique. Cell attachment and cell morphology were evaluated. Neither HAp nor FAp coatings exhibited cytoxic influence on cells in culture. Results suggest that HAp coatings stimulate cell growth and FAp coatings do not. This could be explained by a negative effect on cell growth of the dissolved fluoride ions.

Sintering in air and hot isostatic pressing are production methods regarded as being capable of producing fibre-reinforced hydroxyapatite ceramics for biomedical applications. These composites may have the advantage of improved mechanical properties and be suitable for applications in areas where there are significant levels of load on the material. The use of pure hydroxyapatite is restricted to those free of dynamical load. Obtaining improved mechanical strength is a question of the bond between the matrix phase and the fibre-reinforcement phase. However, a chemical bond between both phases, indicated by large diffusion zones, might lead to the dehydration of the hydroxyapatite leading to undesired tricalcium phosphate in the matrix resulting in a weakening of the mechanical and biological stability of the composites. Composites with three fibre types, alumina, 316L-stainless steel and titanium were prepared and sintered in air or hot isostatically pressed. A reaction zone was noted around the titanium and stainless steel fibres, but not around the alumina fibres. The reaction zone was larger for stainless steel than titanium. Hot isostatic pressing also reduced the reaction zone markedly compared to sintering in air.

No abstract