Critical Surface Research Articles

Determination of Critical Slip Surface in Loose Rock Slope Stability Analysis

Determination of Critical Slip Surface in Loose Rock Slope Stability Analysis

Growth and no-growth boundary of Clostridium perfringens in cooked cured meats – A logistic analysis and development of critical control surfaces using a solid growth medium

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sodium nitrite (NaNO2, 100–200 ppm), sodium erythorbate (SE, 0–547 ppm), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP, 0–0.5 %), and sodium chloride (NaCl, 2–3 %) on growth of C. perfringens using a solid growth medium and to develop a growth/no-growth boundary (critical control surface, or CCS) to prevent its growth in cooked cured meat under the optimal temperature condition. Melted Shahidi Ferguson Perfringens (SFP) agar, inoculated with a 3-strain spore cocktail and mixed with NaNO2, SE, STPP, and NaCl according to a Box-Behnken response surface experimental design, was dispersed in 96-well microplates and incubated anaerobically in an incubator programmed to remain at 4 °C for 24 h, heat to 80 °C in 1.75 h, quickly (0.5 h) cool to 46 °C (optimum temperature), and then maintain at 46 °C overnight. The plates were examined optically and visually for colony formation. Any well free of growth was designated as no-growth. Logistic regression was used to analyze the growth probability (P) as affected by NaNO2, SE, STPP, and NaCl and define a CSS as meeting the criterion of P < 1/96. The results showed that STPP and the interactions of SE with NaNO2 and NaCl could reduce the growth probability of C. perfringens in SFP agar. The validation of CCS with ground beef showed an accuracy of 96.3 % for no growth of C. perfringens in the inoculated samples. The results of this study proved that cured meat can be formulated with proper combinations of NaNO2, SE, STPP, and NaCl to prevent the growth of C. perfringens even under the optimum temperature condition, thus preventing food poisoning caused by the growth of this microorganism.

An integrated approach for detecting and classifying pores and surface topology for fatigue assessment 316L manufactured by powder bed fusion of metals using a laser beam using μCT and machine learning algorithms

AbstractThis research aims to detect and analyze critical internal and surface defects in metal components manufactured by powder bed fusion of metals using a laser beam (PBF‐LB/M). The aim is to assess their impact on the fatigue behavior. Therefore, a combination of methods, including image processing of micro‐computed tomography ( CT) scans, fatigue testing, and machine learning, was applied. A workflow was established to contribute to the nondestructive assessment of component quality and mechanical properties. Additionally, this study illustrates the application of machine learning to address a classification problem, specifically the categorization of pores into gas pores and lack of fusion pores. Although it was shown that internal defects exhibited a reduced impact on fatigue behavior compared with surface defects, it was noted that surface defects exert a higher influence on fatigue behavior. A machine learning algorithm was developed to predict the fatigue life using surface defect features as input parameters.

Dual function surfactants for pharmaceutical formulations: The case of surface active and antibacterial 1-tolyl alkyl biguanide derivatives

One interesting field of research in the view of developing novel surfactants for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications is the design of amphiphiles showing further bioactive properties in addition to those commonly displayed by surface-active compounds. We propose here the chemical synthesis, and characterization of 1-o-tolyl alkyl biguanide derivatives, having different lengths of the hydrocarbon chain (C3, C6, and C10), and showing surface active and antibacterial/disinfectant activities toward both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Both surface active properties in terms of critical micelle concentration (CMC) and surface tension at CMC (γCMC), as well as the antimicrobial activity in terms of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), were strongly dependent on the length of the hydrocarbon chain. Particularly, the C6 and C10 derivatives have a good ability to decrease surface tension (γCMC <40 mN/m) at low concentrations (CMC < 12 mM) and a satisfactory antibacterial effect (MIC values between 0.230 and 0.012 mM against S. aureus strains and between 0.910 and 0.190 against P.aeruginosa strains). Interestingly, these compounds showed a disinfectant activity at the tested concentrations that was comparable to that of the reference compound chlorhexidine digluconate. All these results support the possible use of these amphiphilic compounds as antibacterial agents and disinfectants in pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulations.

Holographic entanglement renormalisation for fermionic quantum matter

We demonstrate the emergence of a holographic dimension in a system of 2D non-interacting Dirac fermions placed on a torus, by studying the scaling of multipartite entanglement measures under a sequence of renormalisation group (RG) transformations applied in momentum space. Geometric measures defined in this emergent space can be related to the RG beta function of the spectral gap, hence establishing a holographic connection between the spatial geometry of the emergent spatial dimension and the entanglement properties of the boundary quantum theory. We prove, analytically, that changing the boundedness of the holographic space involves a topological transition accompanied by a critical Fermi surface in the boundary theory. We go on to show that this results in the formation of a quantum wormhole geometry that connects the UV and the IR of the emergent dimension. The additional conformal symmetry at the transition also supports a relation between the emergent metric and the stress-energy tensor. In the presence of an Aharonov–Bohm flux, the entanglement gains a geometry-independent piece which is shown to be topological, sensitive to changes in boundary conditions, and related to the Luttinger volume of the system. Upon the insertion of a strong transverse magnetic field, we show that the Luttinger volume is linked to the Chern number of the occupied single-particle Landau levels.

Seismically induced deformations of layered slopes with non-unique and non-planar slip surfaces

Earthquake-induced deformation is prevalently used to evaluate the seismic performance of slopes, often assumed to occur along a predefined single slip surface. This paper presents a new limit equilibrium method combining with Newmark sliding block analysis for calculating the seismic displacement of layered slopes with non-unique and non-planar slip surfaces. The determination of the most and subsequent critical slip surfaces during the earthquake shaking is discussed with an emphasis on the coupling effects between the shallow and deep failures. The approach is validated by the results from numerical simulation and the shaking table model test of layered slopes. Comparison analyses are also performed for the predictions of seismic displacement from the developed and previous sliding-block models. It is found that the seismic sliding deformation at the first slip surface significantly affects the evolution and sliding deformation of the subsequent slip surface. For the considered example of layered slope, a second slip surface at deeper location passing through the slope toe is identified, and a coupled variation is observed for the sliding displacement along the two slip surfaces. These features are not well predicted from the available sliding-block models. The developed model can capture the interaction between the non-unique slip surfaces and the geometry effect of the non-planar slip surfaces.

Influence of 0.25% Indium Addition to Ni/CeO2 Catalysts for Dry Reforming of Methane

In this study, the surface and textural properties as well as the catalytic performance of Ni/CeO2 and NiIn/CeO2 catalysts prepared by wet impregnation (WI) and deposition–precipitation (DP) are investigated. The addition of Ni (3.0 wt.%) resulted in a decrease in the specific surface area and pore volume in the case of the WI method, possibly due to a blockage of mesopores. A minimal addition of In (0.25 wt.%) caused a further decrease in the surface area in both cases. XRD analysis showed that Ni deposited on CeO2 by DP resulted in some lattice incorporation, affecting the crystallinity of the support. The H2-TPR profiles altered depending on the different ways of Ni and In introduction. STEM-EDS-derived elemental maps indicated that the Ni and NiIn particles deposited on CeO2 using the DP method were somewhat smaller than in the WI synthesis. A comprehensive CO-DRIFTS analysis proved a direct Ni-In interaction in bimetallic samples, leading to the formation of a surface NiIn alloy. Ni/CeO2 catalysts showed a higher activity in the process of dry reforming of methane (DRM) than the bimetallic counterparts at 650 °C, with the Ni_DP sample performing slightly better. However, the Ni_DP catalyst showed significant coking, which was drastically reduced by the addition of In. The agglomeration of Ni and/or NiIn particles during the 6 h DRM reaction somewhat impaired the catalyst performance. Overall, this study highlights the intricate relationship between the catalyst preparation, surface properties and catalytic performance in the DRM reaction and emphasizes the beneficial role of In addition in reducing the coking of the monometallic catalyst and the critical location and surface morphology of nickel nanoparticles decorated with indium and in contact with ceria.

Development of ballistic limit equations in support of the Mars sample return mission

NASA and ESA are currently planning the Mars Sample Return campaign, comprising missions whose combined objective is to bring the first samples of Mars material back to Earth for detailed study. Until recently, the NASA-ESA plan was to return samples to Earth using three missions. The final component, the Earth Entry System (EES), will bring the Mars samples back to the Earth, where it will land following safe entry through the Earth's atmosphere. There is a concern regarding the risk of biological contamination of the Earth's biosphere from returned Mars samples if, for example, the structural integrity of the EES were compromised during its return mission due to a perforation of a critical surface resulting from a high-speed meteoroid impact. To assess the risks associated with such an event, NASA is developing equations that predict the damage that various EES elements will sustain as a result of such an impact, as well as equations that predict whether or not a particular system will sustain a critical failure following such an impact. In this paper, we review recent progress in the development of such equations for the EES forebody and the EES aftbody, the two elements of the EES that are most exposed to the meteoroid environment. Limitations of the BLEs are also discussed, which can also be used to further inform the next steps in the BLE development.

The three-dimensional stability analysis of piled slopes in unsaturated and inhomogeneous soils with nonlinear failure criterion

Under the nonlinear Mohr-Coulomb (MC) failure criterion, based on the upper-bound limit analysis theorem, the three-dimensional(3D) stability of piled unsaturated inhomogeneous slopes is analyzed. By incorporating the nonlinear strength parameters c t and φ t, the energy balance equation is established, and the explicit expression of slope safety factor (F S) is derived by the gravity increase method (GIM). In addition, a genetic algorithm (GA) is used to calculate the minimum F S. The results obtained were compared with those of existing literature to verify the effectiveness of the method used in this paper. The influence of nonlinear parameters on slope stability was studied through parameter analysis. The results show that the nonlinear parameters of soil have a significant influence on the stability of piled slopes. The F S increases with the increase of nonlinear coefficient and uniaxial tensile strength and decreases with the increase of initial cohesion of soil. In addition, the critical slip surface of the slope becomes shallower with the weakening of soil nonlinearity. Furthermore, ignoring the suction effect will overestimate the slope stability, and the slope stability intensified with decreased soil inhomogeneity.

Исследование сил резания и обрабатываемости при фрезеровании порошковой коррозионно-стойкой стали, полученной по технологии прямого лазерного выращивания (LMD)

Introduction. Additive manufacturing technologies for the production of geometrically approximate workpieces require post-processing. This applies to the use of cutting tools in milling operations when machining critical surfaces. The latter are specified strict requirements to accuracy of linear and angular dimensions and quality of the surface layer. An urgent task remains to increase machining productivity when recording cutting forces and surface roughness to develop technological recommendations. Purpose of work: experimental determination of cutting modes providing the highest productivity when milling LMD-workpieces (Laser Metal Deposition) made of steel 0.12-Cr18-Ni10-Ti (AISI 321) by carbide end mill, while maintaining the milling cutter operability and required roughness. The properties and microstructure of the specimens along and across the build direction are investigated. The influence of feed (when the mill moves across and along the build direction), depth and width of milling, speed on the components of the cutting force and roughness of the machined surfaces during counter milling of LMD-workpieces made of steel 0.12-Cr18-Ni10-Ti (AISI 321) with end mill made of H10F carbide with a diameter of 12 mm without wear-resistant coating is established and formalized. The research methods are the dynamic measurement of all three components of the cutting force using a three-component dynamometer and the measurement of roughness with a profilometer. The condition and microgeometry of the cutting edges were monitored before and after milling using scanning optical and scanning electron microscopy. Results and Discussion. The difference in cutting forces depending on the milling pattern (along and across the build direction) was shown. Studies showed that the milling depth and cutting speed have little effect on the lateral and axial components of the cutting force. The feed force increases significantly with increasing depth of cut, especially when feeding across the specimen build direction. It is found that all three components of the cutting force are directly proportional to the value of the minute feed. The equations for calculating all three components of the cutting force with a change in the minute feed are obtained.

Studies on the properties and molecular dynamics simulations of nonionic surfactants based on succinic acid derivatives

AbstractNonionic surfactants have proven useful in various applications such as wastewater treatment, enhanced oil recovery, dyeing, and cosmetics. Novel nonionic surfactants such as PEMP, BEMP, HEMP and BEEP were synthesized based on succinic acid derivatives and using L‐isoleucine as the linking group and four polyether alcohols as the hydrophilic group. First, the structures of the four nonionic surfactants were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. Then the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and surface tension at CMC (γCMC) of the four nonionic surfactants in aqueous solution were tested. γ‐lg c curves determined the relationships of their surface properties as BEEP &gt; PEMP &gt; BEMP &gt; HEMP. In order to expand the range of applications for nonionic surfactants, we evaluated the salt‐resistant properties of four such surfactants. Our findings demonstrated that this class of surfactants indeed has superior salt‐resistant properties. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to study how surfactant molecules aggregate in the interfacial film. The study investigated the trend of solvent accessible surface area (SASA) over time. Results showed that the surfactant molecules interacted well with solvent molecules in the equilibrium state. This study investigates the performance differences among four types of surfactants using the electrostatic potential (ESP) distribution of their molecules. The study employed both experimental and computational simulations to provide a more comprehensive understanding of surfactant properties. The results offer insights into the theoretical research and application extension of this class of surfactants.

Multihazard resilience and economic loss evaluation method for cable-stayed bridges under the combined effects of scour and earthquakes

Cable-stayed bridges (CSBs) commonly experience scour-induced foundation issues during their service life, impacting both structural seismic resilience and economic losses. Nonetheless, these aspects remain inadequately addressed in existing seismic codes. This paper presents a comprehensive probabilistic multihazard fragility, resilience, and economic loss evaluation method for CSBs influenced by scour and earthquakes. Numerical models with various scour depths considering epistemic uncertainties in loads, structural properties, and soil conditions are first established using the Latin-hypercube sampling (LHS) method. Incremental dynamic analyses (IDAs) are then conducted on these models in cases with near-fault and far-field bidirectional ground motions, yielding probabilistic multihazard demand models and component- and system-level multihazard fragility surfaces for diverse limit states. Subsequently, resilience and economic losses are comparatively evaluated by integrating damage probabilities with corresponding uncertain functional recovery functions. Eventually, a rapid bridge traffic capacity evaluation method based on the critical traffic capacity surface concept is devised to effectively assess CSB open patterns under various peak ground accelerations (PGAs), scour depths, and repair times. The numerical results show apparent shifts in the nonmonotonic seismic fragility, resilience, and economic loss of the case CSB due to scour effects, with the rates of change reaching 31.4 %, 34 %, and 24.8 %, respectively, associated with a critical scour depth of 12 m at IM = 0.8 g. The developed analysis framework provides a reference for the life-cycle design and maintenance of CSBs affected by multihazard scour and earthquakes.

Research on Key Technologies of Jewelry Design and Manufacturing Based on 3D Printing Technology

In conjunction with the swift enhancement of China’s economic prowess, the demand for jewelry among the populace is gradually evolving towards personalized, customized, and intricate designs. Traditional manufacturing approaches are increasingly inadequate to meet these evolving demands. However, the advent of 3D printing technology presents a viable solution for the direct fabrication of such sophisticated jewelry. To this end, the conceptualization of personalized jewelry inspiration is initiated, followed by the implementation of parametric design using SolidWorks 2018 software. Subsequently, 3D printing technology is employed to materialize the jewelry directly. Results indicate that the “Guardian” jewelry model, crafted through the parametric modeling method, exhibits a commendable design, and adheres to processing requirements following a comprehensive risk analysis. The strategic adjustment of the jewelry’s position effectively reduces the required support, circumventing the necessity of adding support to critical surfaces. The surface of the Selective Laser Melting (SLM)-manufactured “Guardian” jewelry boasts a lustrous finish, showcasing optimal overlap between pillars and excellent connectivity among pores. Minimal powder adherence on the surface is observed, enabling direct utilization post-sandblasting, polishing, and plating. This establishes a solid foundation for the direct application of SLM-manufactured personalized jewelry.

Upper bound stability analysis of tiered geosynthetic-reinforced soil wall

The tiered geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) walls have been increasingly applied in the high and steep retaining soil structures. However, very little is known about the design method for the tiered GRS wall in practice. This study is aimed at proposing an upper-bound stability analysis method of a tiered GRS wall. The proposed method was firstly validated by the existing results from the centrifuge test and the numerical method, and then a parametric study was performed to investigate the effects of the cohesionless backfill friction angle ϕ1 and the wall geometric parameters including the offset distance, the total wall height, the batter angle δ, the number of tiers n, and wall height ratio of adjacent tiers on the dimensionless equivalent earth pressure coefficient KT. The analysis results demonstrated that as the ϕ1 increases, the shear strength of backfill is enhanced and thus the KT or the total reinforcement tensile force decreases, and the KT decreases with the increase of the offset distance at the initial stage and then becomes stable when it reaches a certain critical value. For a fixed offset distance, the KT or the total reinforcement tensile force decreases with the increase of the δ. For the two-tiered GRS walls having the offset distance less than the critical value, the wall with the smaller wall height ratio has a larger KT. Further, the variation of the location of the critical failure surfaces of tiered GRS walls was presented in this study with the variation of the ϕ1 and the wall geometry.

Multiaxial Fatigue Damage Analysis of Steel–Concrete Composite Beam Based on the Smith–Watson–Topper Parameter

The fatigue performance of steel–concrete composite beams is crucial for ensuring structural safety. To account for the member’s multiaxial stress state, this study employed the critical surface method, using fatigue damage parameters as an evaluation index for assessing fatigue performance. Static and fatigue performance tests on steel–concrete beams were conducted to identify failure characteristics, which informed the development of a finite element model that incorporates concrete damage. Using the SWT model, the most unfavorable loading parameters were determined by analyzing critical paths on the test beams, providing a basis for predicting how initial defects impact fatigue performance. The impact of initial defects on the fatigue performance of the composite beam is assessed using this criterion. The results indicate that the discrepancy between the actual and predicted load capacities of the test beam is within 5%, and cyclic loading significantly affects the test beam’s mechanical properties, resulting in a 27% reduction in load capacity and a 48% increase in deflection after 2 million cycles. Finite element modeling reveals that components experience multiaxial stress, with test beam mechanical property changes aligning with predicted fatigue damage parameters, confirming the reliability of using these parameters as a criterion. As the strength of the composite beams diminished due to pore defects, the fatigue damage parameter escalated, increasing the likelihood of crack formation. However, once the concrete’s strength fell to a level where the pegs were insufficiently constrained, the structural damage pattern shifted, and the fatigue damage parameter subsequently decreased.

Tinea Incognito: Challenges in Diagnosis and Management.

Tinea incognito is a dermatophyte infection with atypical features, due to the use of topical or systemic steroids or other immunosuppressive medications. Delayed diagnosis, spread of the infection to critical body surfaces, resistance to antifungal drugs, and increased costs due to prolonged hospitalization and multiple treatment regimens often complicate tinea incognito. It can affect individuals of all ages and genders, but it is more common in children. Atypical clinical appearance often necessitates differentiation from other diseases such as eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, or other non-fungal skin conditions. The treatment of tinea incognito usually involves discontinuation of topical steroids or other immunosuppressive medications. Preventive measures and management of the underlying fungal infection are necessary and can be achieved with antifungal drugs. Patients should wear loose cotton clothes, use boiling water for laundry, and iron their clothing before wearing them. Additionally, they should avoid sharing bed linens, towels, clothes, and shoes. This review aims to raise awareness of tinea incognito among health practitioners, provide tips for detecting the disorder, include it in the differentials, and evaluate the available diagnostic procedures.

Adsorption and Aggregation Behaviors of Oleyl Alcohol-Based Extended Surfactant and Its Mixtures.

An oleyl alcohol-based extended surfactant, sodium oleyl polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide sulfate (OE3P3S), was synthesized and identified using FT-IR and 1H NMR. The adsorption and aggregation behaviors of OE3P3S and its mixture with cationic surfactant alkyltrimethylammoniumbromide (ATAB) were investigated under different molar ratios. The static surface tension analysis indicated that the critical micellization concentration (cmc) and the critical surface tension (γcmc) of OE3P3S were 0.72 mmol/L, and 36.16 mN/m, respectively. The cmc and γcmc values of the binary system were much lower than that of the individual component. And the cmc values of OE3P3S/ATAB = 6:4 mixtures decreased with an increase in the chain length of the cationic surfactant in the binary system. It was found from the dynamic surface tension that there was a slower diffusion rate in the binary system compared to the pure surfactant, and the adsorption processes for OE3P3S/ATAB = 6:4 were mixed diffusion-kinetic adsorption mechanisms. With a combination of DLS data and TEM measurements, formations of vesicles in OE3P3S/ATAB = 6:4 solutions appeared to occur at a concentration of 0.05 mmol/L. By studying the formation of liquid crystal structures in an emulsion prepared with OE3P3S as the surfactant, it was found that the oil-in-water emulsion is birefringent with a Maltese cross texture, and the rheological properties revealed its predominant viscoelastic behavior and shear thinning properties.

Enhancing Surgical Safety: Microbiological Air Control in Operating Theatres at University Medical Centre Maribor.

the aim of the study was to assess microbiological air quality in operating theatres by determining the level of microbiological contamination of the air and critical surfaces using the passive air sampling method and compliance of the operating theatre staff with infection control measures. The prospective study was conducted in the surgical block of the University Medical Centre Maribor. For two months continuously, ten operating theatres were assessed for microbial contamination of air and surfaces during quiet and active times of the day. A passive air sampling method with Petri dishes on an agar specially adapted for this purpose (plate count agar) was used. In addition, ten surgical procedures were observed to assess staff compliance with recommended practises. Air samples met microbiological standards in all operating theatres. In both sampling sessions of the day (quiet and active periods), microbial contamination of the air was always within the limit of 10 CFU/m3. The average number of bacterial colonies was zero to two during quiet phases and one to four during active phases. Approximately 60% of the isolates from the operating theatres belonged mainly to the genus Staphylococcus: S. epidermidis (36% of the isolates), S. hominis (17.5%) and S. haemolyticus (5.5%). The rest were identified as Streptococcus anginosus (23%) and Bacillus sp. (18%). Pathogenic bacteria and moulds were not present. In regard to staff compliance with good surgical practise, the former varied by behaviour and function, with non-compliance in pre-operative skin preparation and operating theatre congestion being notable. The cleanliness of the environment was satisfactory. Microbiological air control is extremely important for the safety and success of both surgical and postoperative practises. In spite of good results obtained in the study, further improvements in surgical staff compliance with good surgical practise are essential to reduce surgical site infections.

Location of the critical slip surface based on monitoring data and genetic algorithm

The non-circular search limit equilibrium method (LEM) is a significant methodology in the analysis of slope stability, aimed at identifying the critical slip surface (CSS) and the safety factor (SF). However, the existing LEM does not consider monitoring data, such as the subsurface displacement, in the CSS search process for the actual slopes. In this paper, a new approach is proposed that combines LEM with subsurface displacement data to more accurately identify the CSS. The k-means clustering algorithm is utilized to determine the recognizing slip positions corresponding to each subsurface displacement curve. Additionally, the Spencer’s method is employed to calculate the SF. By treating the recognizing slip positions as constraint conditions, the genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to search for the location of the CSS. To validate the accuracy and usefulness of the proposed method, four numerical examples and an experimental case are presented.

Mechanical and microstructural behavior of Inconel 625 deposits by high-pressure cold spray and laser assisted cold spray

Thick deposits of Inconel 625 (IN625) by high-pressure cold spray (HPCS) have been described as cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM). However, given the solid solution and numerous precipitation phases of the IN625 superalloy, these deposits can exhibit low ductility and high residual stresses due to severe deformation of the particles upon impact against the substrate. To counteract this phenomenon, laser-assisted cold spray (LACS) was used here to soften the material using two laser surface temperatures (650 and 900 °C), and to elucidate their effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties, specifically elastic modulus, hardness, and stress relaxation behavior of the deposits. For comparison, IN625 was also deposited by HPCS. The microstructure of the deposits was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Mechanical properties were determined by nanoindentation. The HPCS and LACS 650 °C deposits showed an interdendritic network of intermetallics, a feature also present in the powder feedstock material. However, the deposit produced with LACS at 900 °C showed a microstructure suggesting a dissolution of this network, a critical surface laser temperature for inducing an evolution on the microstructure in LACS processes. The EBSD maps show strong grain deformation in the material deposited using HPCS, whereas the sample made with LACS at 900 °C showed significant recrystallization and grain growth (3.5 μm in average). Mechanical properties, including stress relaxation phenomena, were measured using nanoindentation. The hardness of the LACS 900 °C sample was found to be 7.2 GPa, which is a decrease from the 8.9 GPa found in the HPCS sample and 9.1 GPa found in the LACS 650 sample. This decrease in hardness can be attributed to the recrystallized microstructure due to the localized laser heating. In contrast, the elastic modulus remained practically the same for all three samples, around 265 GPa.