Microstructure Evolution, Mechanical Properties and Deformation Behavior of an Additively Manufactured Maraging Steel.

In this work, the microstructure and mechanical properties of an additively manufactured X3NiCoMoTi18-9-5 maraging steel were determined. Optical and electron microscopies revealed the formation of melt pool boundaries and epitaxial grain growth with cellular dendritic structures after the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process. The cooling rate is estimated to be around 106 °C/s during solidification, which eliminates the nucleation of any precipitates. However, it allows the formation of austenite with a volume fraction of about 5% and dendritic structures with primary arm spacing of 0.41 ± 0.23 µm. The electron backscatter diffraction analysis showed the formation of elongated grains with significant low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs). Then, a solutionizing treatment was applied to the as-printed samples to dissolve all the secondary phases, followed by aging treatment. The reverted austenite was evident after heat treatment, which transformed into martensite after tensile testing. The critical plastic stresses for this transformation were determined using the double differentiation method. The tensile strength of the alloy increased from 1214 MPa to 2106 MPa after the aging process due to the formation of eta phase. The experimental data were complemented with thermodynamic and mechanical properties simulations, which showed a discrepancy of less than 3%.

The M6-C Cervical Disk Prosthesis: First Clinical Experience in 33 Patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To determine the short-term clinical succesrate of the M6-C cervical disk prosthesis in primary and secondary surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cervical disk arthroplasty (CDA) provides an alternative to anterior cervical decompression and fusion for the treatment of spondylotic radiculopathy or myelopathy. The prevention of adjacent segment disease (ASD), a possible complication of anterior cervical decompression and fusion, is its most cited--although unproven--benefit. Unlike older arthroplasty devices that rely on a ball-and-socket-type design, the M6-C cervical disk prosthesis represents a new generation of unconstrained implants, developed to achieve better restoration of natural segmental biomechanics. This device should therefore optimize clinical performance of CDA and reduce ASD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients had preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and postoperative x-rays. Clinical outcome was assessed using the Neck Disability Index, a Visual Analog Scale, and the SF-36 questionnaire. Patients were asked about overall satisfaction and whether they would have the surgery again. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were evaluated 17.1 months after surgery, on average. Nine patients had a history of cervical interventions. Results for Neck Disability Index, Visual Analog Scale, and SF-36 were significantly better among patients who had undergone primary surgery. In this group, 87.5% of patients reported a good or excellent result and 91.7% would have the procedure again. In contrast, all 4 device-related complications occurred in the small group of patients who had secondary surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The M6-C prosthesis appears to be a valuable addition to the CDA armatorium. It generates very good results in patients undergoing primary surgery, although its use in secondary surgery should be avoided. Longer follow-up is needed to determine to what measure this device can prevent ASD.

Endurance of Damping Properties of Foam-Filled Tubes.

The favorable energy-absorption properties of metal foams have been frequently proposed for damping or anti-crash applications. The aim of this paper is to investigate the endurance of these properties for composite structures, made by a metal or a hybrid metal-polymeric foam used as the core filling of a tubular metal case. The results of experimental tests are shown, run with two types of structures: 1) square steel tubes filled with aluminum or with hybrid aluminum-polymer foams; 2) round titanium tubes filled with aluminum foams. The paper shows that the damping properties of a foam-filled tube change (improve) with the number of cycles, while all other dynamic properties are nearly constant. This result is very important for several potential applications where damping is crucial, e.g., for machine tools.

On the importance of crystallographic texture in the biocompatibility of titanium based substrate.

The role of grain size and crystallographic orientation on the biocompatibility of commercially pure titanium was investigated. Samples, with significant differences in crystallographic texture and average grain size (from 0.4 to 40 µm) were produced by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and post deformation annealing. X-ray diffraction and electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) were used to evaluate differences in texture and microstructural characteristics. The titanium oxide film present on the surface of the samples was analyzed to determine the oxidation state of titanium and the chemical bonds between oxygen and titanium using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Biocompatibility experiments were conducted using MC3T3 preosteoblast cells. Cell attachment was found to be texture-sensitive, where the number of attached cells was higher on the samples with higher number of (0002) planes exposed to the surface, regardless of the grain size. A relationship was also found between the titanium oxide species formed on the surface and the crystallographic texture underneath. The surface texture consisting of more densely packed basal planes promote the formation of Ti-OH on the surface, which in turn, enhances the cell-substrate interactions. These surface characteristics are deemed responsible for the observed difference in cell attachment behaviour of surfaces with different textures. Finally, it is inferred that texture, rather than the grain size, plays the major role in controlling the surface biocompatibility of biomedical devices fabricated from pure metallic titanium.

Surface Finish and Residual Stresses Induced by Orthogonal Dry Machining of AA7075-T651.

The surface finish was extensively studied in usual machining processes (turning, milling, and drilling). For these processes, the surface finish is strongly influenced by the cutting feed and the tool nose radius. However, a basic understanding of tool/surface finish interaction and residual stress generation has been lacking. This paper aims to investigate the surface finish and residual stresses under the orthogonal cutting since it can provide this information by avoiding the effect of the tool nose radius. The orthogonal machining of AA7075-T651 alloy through a series of cutting experiments was performed under dry conditions. Surface finish was studied using height and amplitude distribution roughness parameters. SEM and EDS were used to analyze surface damage and built-up edge (BUE) formation. An analysis of the surface topography showed that the surface roughness was sensitive to changes in cutting parameters. It was found that the formation of BUE and the interaction between the tool edge and the iron-rich intermetallic particles play a determinant role in controlling the surface finish during dry orthogonal machining of the AA7075-T651 alloy. Hoop stress was predominantly compressive on the surface and tended to be tensile with increased cutting speed. The reverse occurred for the surface axial stress. The smaller the cutting feed, the greater is the effect of cutting speed on both axial and hoop stresses. By controlling the cutting speed and feed, it is possible to generate a benchmark residual stress state and good surface finish using dry machining.