Artificial Sweat Solution Research Articles

ICP-OES determination of metals present in textile materials

The aim of this work was to quantify the content of elements present in textile materials since it is known that textiles containing metals may represent a health hazard to consumers. Determination of metal content can be also useful to the textile industry since some metals present in textiles may contribute to problems during textile production. Extraction of metals from different textile materials was performed in an artificial acidic sweat solution according to the Öko Tex standard for materials coming into direct contact with the skin. After extraction from textile products made of cotton, flax, wool, silk, viscose, and polyester materials, all elements were determined by means of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Results in the sweat extracts (minimum–maximum in μg/mL) were: Al 0.11–1.58, Cd 0.02–0.05, Cr 0.01–0.32, Cu 0.05–1.95, Mn 0.01–2.17, and Ni 0.05–0.10. Concentrations of other elements were bellow detection limits. The total amount of metals present was determined after microwave assisted acidic digestion of textile materials with 7 M nitric acid. According to the results, the majority of the detected elements were below the concentration limits given by the Öko Tex, and for this reason the textile materials investigated do not represent a health hazard to consumers.

Comparative corrosion study of “Ni-free” austenitic stainless steels in view of medical applications

The role of nickel in the biological response to alloys used in medical devices is of immense significance with regard to toxicology and biological performance. There is now a tendency to take nickel out of alloys for medical applications. However, this needs careful evaluation since no compromise is acceptable with regard to mechanical properties, corrosion resistance or any other harmful consequences due to the nickel substitution. This paper analyses the corrosion behaviour and cations released for five austenitic steels, nominally “nickel-free”. The analysis of electrochemical parameters, open circuit potential, polarisation resistance, Tafel slopes, corrosion current, breakdown potential, potentiodynamic polarisation curves, and coulometric analysis by zone, reveal that the new austenitic steels, nominally “nickel-free”, do not behave in the same way. In the family of steels studied, quite a large dispersion is noted in the corrosion behaviour. With regard to the crevice corrosion behaviour, the steel grades studied can be classified into three groups, with crevice potentials of 600–650 mV; 350–450 mV and 100–150 mV. The release of 18 cations (Al, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Sn, Sr, Ti, and V) was studied by extraction tests in artificial sweat and bone plasma fluid. The extraction tests reveal that the “nickel-free” steels indeed release only faint traces of nickel. Yet many other elements, some of them potentially harmful, are released in significant amounts. Generally, the amount of cations released is substantially higher in the artificial sweat solution than in the bone plasma.

Tribocorrosion behaviour of ZrO xN y thin films for decorative applications

The aim of this work is the investigation of the tribocorrosion behaviour of single layered zirconium oxynitride, ZrO xN y, thin films in reciprocating sliding and immersed in an artificial sweat solution at room temperature. During the wear tests samples were kept under potentiostatic control and the corrosion current were monitored. Also, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) tests were performed before and after sliding in order to evaluate, in detail, the modification of the protective character of the coating caused by the joint action of wear and corrosion. The modifications of the coating structure and microstructure and/or chemical composition originated by the variation of the deposition parameters were also evaluated and correlated with the corrosion mechanisms occurring in each system.

Corrosion resistance of ZrN xO y thin films obtained by rf reactive magnetron sputtering

The main aim of this work is the investigation of the corrosion resistance of single layered zirconium oxynitride, ZrN x O y , thin films in artificial sweat solution at ambient temperature. The films were produced by rf reactive magnetron sputtering, using a pure Zr target at a constant temperature of 300 °C. Two different sets of samples were produced. In the first set of films, the substrate bias voltage was the main variable, whereas in the second set, the flow rate of reactive gases (oxygen/nitrogen ratio) was varied. The control of the amount of oxygen allowed the film properties to be tailored from those of covalent zirconium nitride to those of the correspondent ionic oxide. The corrosion behaviour was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) tests. The analysis of EIS data provided detailed information of the corrosion processes occurring at the surface of the system throughout the immersion time. The modifications of the coating microstructure and/or chemical composition induced by the variation of the deposition parameters were also evaluated and correlated with the corrosion mechanisms occurring in each system.

Application of Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry in the Textile Industry

In the present study, the determination of arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, nickel, mercury and zinc in various cloth samples produced in Kayseri-Turkey was performed after extraction with artificial sweat solution and decomposition with nitric acid. TXRF is shown to be suitable for the determination of 7 trace elements, down to the 0.001 (cobalt) to 0.004 (copper) mg/kg level in textile extract except for mercury and cadmium. The extractable part of the toxic metals by artificial sweat solution is relatively low. In a few extracts the concentration values of Pb and Ni have exceeded their critical values of 0.2 mg/kg for lead and 1.0 mg/kg for nickel given by Oko-Tex and determined for babys cloths. In addition, it was observed that the element pattern of textile samples resembled ‘finger print type’, TXRF-spectra. This technique can also be used for the identification of textile sample in forensic investigation.

Optical properties and corrosion behaviour of sputtered Zr-B and Zr-B-N coatings

In this paper, we present results on the structure, optical properties and corrosion behaviour of Zr-B and Zr-B-N coatings employing non-reactive and reactive d.c. magnetron sputter deposition. The addition of nitrogen reduced the grain size—coatings deposited at nitrogen flow rates f(N 2) of less than approximately 14 sccm (standard cm 3 min -1) were extremely fine grained, while nitrogen flow rates of more than 14sccm led to fracture-amorphous coatings with a very smooth surface. The hardness and abrasion resistance decreased with the increase in nitrogen content. Pure Zr-B coatings are silver-greyish with metallic brilliance but nitrogen changes the colour from dark grey or black at low contents to interference colours in the amorphous state. Ellipsometric measurements of the refractive index n and adsorption coefficient k supported the results derived from electron microscopy, colour measurements and mechanical testing. The transition point between the fine-grained and fracture-amorphous structure lies in the range of f(N 2) around 10 sccm. The black coatings deposited with such nitrogen levels showed good corrosion and abrasion resistance combined with a satisfying hardness. In some cases, increasing the nitrogencontent improved the corrosion resistance. In potentio- dynamic experiments, more positive free corrosion and pitting potentials were demonstrated. However, in salt spray testing and immersion testing using an artificial sweat solution, no beneficial effect of high nitrogen additions was noticed. Zr-B-N coatings deposited with nitrogen flow values in the range 10–20 sccm offer an excellent choice for decorative purposes, owing to their dark grey or intense black colour and good corrosion resistance.

Sorption of Fluorescent Brightening Agents (FBAs) Formulated in Domestic Detergents by Washing Clothes and Their Desorption into Artificial Sweat, Urine and Saliva Solutions

Sorption of Fluorescent Brightening Agents (FBAs) Formulated in Domestic Detergents by Washing Clothes and Their Desorption into Artificial Sweat, Urine and Saliva Solutions