Stainless Steel Research Articles

The use of modern materials and technologies in the development and production of forged art objects

The article discusses the trends and features of the use of modern materials, as well as technological solutions in the field of the development and production of forged art objects. Indeed, modern raw materials and technologies open up new horizons for artistic forging, turning it into an actual tool for forming an aesthetic environment. At the same time, despite the rapid progress, several contradictions are associated with the choice of materials, optimization of technologies, applied techniques, and methods, as well as preserving the value of products (in an artistic context). The study aims to identify the possibilities of integrating material and technological developments into the process of creating forged art objects, taking into account their functional and aesthetic features. This paper analyzes approaches to the selection of materials, including stainless steel, composites, textured coatings, etc. D., and also studied innovative options, in particular, the tools and potential of 3D printing, and heat treatment. The conclusions formulated in the article emphasize the importance of achieving and maintaining a balance between traditions and the latest production methods. The above will be useful for craftsmen in the field of forging, designers, architects, and researchers who study the nuances of applying breakthrough developments in art

Harmless and efficient nickel enrichment from nickel-containing waste slag using vitrification technology.

With the growing demand for nickel in the stainless steel and battery industries, conventional methods of extracting nickel from ores face challenges such as high production costs and environmental concerns. This study proposes a new process for the recovery of nickel metal and the production of nickel-iron alloys from nickel-bearing scrap. The reduction rates of nickel and iron oxides were investigated by optimizing the roasting temperature, time, and C/O ratio, and the process was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Through melt experiments on the reduced materials, the Ni-Fe particles were spontaneously aggregated driven by the Gibbs free energy change, which promoted their transfer to the metallic phase, and the recovery of metallic nickel was obtained to be 98.46%, with the nickel content of the nickel-iron alloy being about 24.61 wt%. By combining reduction melting and vitrification, the efficient recovery of metallic nickel and the production of ferro-nickel alloy were achieved, while the prepared glass slag showed low nickel content and dense amorphous structure with good environmental stability and safety. This study provides a new technical method for the comprehensive utilization of nickel-containing waste slag with significant environmental and economic benefits.

Effect of sea salt on the interaction between simulated corium and concrete

ABSTRACT During the progression of the severe accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, seawater flowed down to the lower plenum and was predicted to react with molten corium and concrete. For the removal and storage of fuel debris, knowing the effects of seawater components on the characteristics of reaction products in the fuel debris is crucial. To understand changes in the microstructure of fuel debris, a reaction test was conducted by introducing sea salt to simulated corium and concrete under a temperature gradient. Three distinctive microstructures were formed during the reaction test: (i) oxide precipitated in silicate glass, (ii) metallic precipitates, and (iii) unmelted but thermally degraded concrete. Among the components of sea salt, sulfur formed iron sulfide within the metallic precipitate. It was predicted to form through a reaction between stainless steel and SOx gas, which was released by the thermal decomposition of sea salt. Analysis of vaporized species indicated that most of Cl, some Na and K in the sea salt might volatilize during heating rather than react with simulated corium and concrete. Calcium and a small amount of Mg, Na, and K in the sea salt might be trapped in the silicate glass.

Investigation of the Critical Buckling Temperatures and Free Vibration Response of Porous Functionally Graded Magneto-Electro-Elastic Sandwich Higher-Order Nanoplates with Temperature-Dependent Material Properties

PurposeThis article aims to determine the critical buckling temperature and thermomechanical free vibration response of a porous functionally graded material (FGM) nanoplate sandwiched between porous magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) plate layers, taking into account temperature-dependent material properties.MethodsThe upper surface of the FGM host structure is considered zirconia (ZrO ), and the lower surface is stainless steel (SUS304). In addition, the MEE face layers are considered to be homogenous volumetric mixtures of cobalt-ferrite (CoFe O ) and barium-titanate (BaTiO ). It is assumed that the host structure’s effective mechanical and thermal material properties are graded in the thickness direction according to the power law distribution. The effective mechanical, electrical, thermal, and magnetic properties of the face plates are obtained by the rule of mixture. This study was conducted using sinusoidal higher-order shear deformation theory (SHSDT) and nonlocal strain gradient elasticity theory (NSGT). Hamilton's theory is utilized to derive the equations of motion of sandwich nanoplates. Closed-form solutions are obtained by the use of Navier's method.ResultsParametric simulations are carried out to examine the effects of the power law index, nonlocal parameters, electric, magnetic, and thermal loads, porosity volume fraction, porosity distribution and volume ratio of CoFe O and BaTiO on the free vibration and buckling behavior of the nanoplate. The results of the simulations are compared with published works to verify the accuracy of the proposed method.ConclusionAccording to the analysis results, it is determined that the power law index, porosity ratio, porosity distribution function, temperature dependent properties, magneto-electro-thermo-mechanical loads and nonlocal factors significantly affect the thermomechanical behavior of the nanoplate.

Manufacturing of Liposomes Using a Stainless-Steel Microfluidic Device: An Investigation into Design of Experiments.

Liposomes are highly beneficial nanocarrier systems due to their biocompatibility, low toxicity, and exceptional inclusiveness, which lead to improved drug bioavailability. For biological applications, accurate control over these nanoparticles' mean size and size distribution is essential. Micromixers facilitate the continuous production of liposomes, enhancing the precision of size regulation and reproducibility. In this research, the performance of a stainless steel 316L micromixer was evaluated by using COMSOL Multiphysics simulations. The liposomes were precisely optimized using design of experiments techniques in a microfluidic setup, and then dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) was successfully encapsulated in liposome nanoparticles. The physicochemical characteristics of liposomes, such as their ζ-potential, size, DSP loading capacity, encapsulation efficiency, and drug release, were assessed. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis were used to examine the structures of the liposomes. The drug release kinetics study was conducted to analyze the drug delivery system, and the Higuchi equation was determined to be the most suitable equation. The microfluidic chip was shown to be capable of creating small-sized liposomes with a size as small as 130 nm, exhibiting monodispersed characteristics and low polydispersity liposome populations.

Characterisation and collapse analysis of composite egg-shaped pressure housings: experimental and numerical insights

ABSTRACT This study examined the collapse performance of composite egg-shaped pressure housings made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) layers and a nylon liner, fabricated using filament winding and 3D printing. Two types of housings—nylon and composite—were designed, fabricated, tested, and analyzed, with experimental results aligning with numerical predictions. The composite housings had an average ultimate strength of 5.98 MPa, 6.10 times greater than the nylon housings. Matrix compression damage was observed in the CFRP layer before reaching the ultimate strength, starting from the innermost CFRP layer. The composite housings outperformed other materials, showing a performance ratio 1.95 times higher than nylon, 2.75 times higher than resin, 1.31 times higher than Q235 mild steel, and 1.17 times higher than 304 stainless steel. These findings offer valuable insights for designing composite pressure housings and preventing collapse, highlighting their potential for deep-sea submersibles.

Effect of machining parameters on the machinability of 15‐5 precipitation hardened stainless steel during dry turning

Effect of machining parameters on the machinability of 15‐5 precipitation hardened stainless steel during dry turning

Neural Network-Based Evaluation of Hardness in Cold-Rolled Austenitic Stainless Steel Under Various Heat Treatment Conditions

Neural Network-Based Evaluation of Hardness in Cold-Rolled Austenitic Stainless Steel Under Various Heat Treatment Conditions

Green Manufacture of Hydrated Polymers Coatings with On-Demand Mechanics and Lubricity Based on Novel Biobased Polymerizable Deep Eutectic Solvents.

The aging population necessitates a critical need for medical devices, where polymers-based surface lubrication coating is essential for optimal functionality. In fact, lubrication and mechanical requirements vary depending on the service environment of different medical devices. Until now, key mean is still blank for general preparation of hydrophilic polymers-based lubrication coatings with on-demand mechanics and lubricity. This study introduces a novel hydrophilic lubrication coating with tunable mechanical properties and lubricity, derived from eco-friendly polymerizable deep eutectic solvents (PDESs) containing betaine, hydroxyethyl acrylate, glycerol, and tannic acid. Unlike traditional high molecular weight polymers, this approach leverages small-molecule, high-biobased PDESs, thereby simplifying the synthesis process. The resulting coating demonstrates exceptional adhesion to a range of medical device materials─including glass, stainless steel, polyvinyl chloride, and polyurethane─thanks to the high content of hydroxyl groups and pyrogallol motifs from tannic acid. It also enables the precise tuning of mechanical strength, modulus, adhesion, hydrophilicity, and lubrication properties by varying the amounts of glycerol and tannic acid. Furthermore, the coating undergoes a hydration-induced transition from high-strength, high-friction to low-strength, low-friction states, maintaining repeatable performance. Additionally, the synergistic effects of betaine and tannic acid in the PDES contribute to its notable antimicrobial properties. In summary, these PDESs demonstrate significant potential for enhancing lubrication in a range of biomedical devices.

Long-Term Corrosion Behavior of 434 Stainless Steel Coatings on T6061 Aluminum Alloy in Chloride Environments

The low corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy materials in chloride environments limits their application in light metal structural components. In this study, 434 stainless steel (SS) powders with different numbers of scan layers were deposited on T6061 aluminum using high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF). Tafel curve, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), salt spray, and galvanic corrosion tests were employed to investigate the comprehensive corrosion behavior of the SS coatings in a chlorine environment. The results showed that the porosity of the SS coatings decreased as the scanning layer increased. A lower porosity slowed the penetration of the corrosive solution and led to an enhanced long-term resistance to chloride attacks in immersion and salt spray corrosion. On this basis, the preferred SS4 sample and iron screw composition system was subjected to galvanic corrosion, and its electric current intensity (5.11 × 10−5 A) was two orders of magnitude lower than that of T6061 aluminum (9.14 × 10−3 A), as well as presenting better anti-corrosion behavior.

Lubrication and wear characteristics of bionic composite texture on friction pair under seawater condition

Abstract To improve the lubrication bearing capacity of the slipper pair of axial piston pump under seawater lubrication, a bionic composite texture (ball pit-ball convex) was designed based on the non-smooth surface structure of dung beetle, and friction and wear experiments were carried out with CF/PEEK and 316L stainless steel. Thirteen groups of experiments with different parameters and structure sizes were designed and studied. The surface morphology of materials under different structural sizes and test parameters were observed, and the lubrication and wear characteristics were analyzed. The results show that the cavitation effect can increase the total compressive capacity of the bionic composite texture by 51.2% and reduce the friction coefficient by 53.3%, and the diameter and area ratio of the ball pit have the most obvious influence on the bearing performance. It is also found that the bionic composite texture has better anti-friction performance than the single texture because it has the function of storing wear chips.

Accelerated Destruction of Passive Film and Microbial Corrosion of 316L Stainless Steel via Extracellular Electron Transfer.

The dense passive film on 316L stainless steel is the key in its corrosion resistance. Its interactions with an electroactive biofilm are critical in deciphering microbial corrosion. Herein, an in-depth investigation using genetic manipulations and addition of an exogenous electron mediator found that extracellular electron transfer (EET) mediated by the electroactive S. oneidensis biofilm grown aerobically accelerated the destruction of the microstructure and weakened the passive film. The changes in surface properties accelerated the electrochemical reactions and increased pitting corrosion. The redox state on the surface also changed due to the activity of the electroactive biofilm. A synergistic EET corrosion mechanism, including both direct and mediated electron transfer with passive film destruction was proposed to illustrate the corrosion caused by electroactive S. oneidensis. The techniques used in this work provide a systematic approach to probe EET impact on microbial corrosion by electroactive biofilms with electron transfer across the biotic-abiotic interfaces.

Enhancing fretting performance of 316L biomedical alloys through duplex TiN and DLC coatings

This study investigates the use of duplex coatings, TiN/DLC, on improving the tribological performance of stainless steel 316L which is commonly used for femoral stems in total hip replacement implants. A range of substrate pre-treatment variants (nitriding and polishing) were applied to investigate the impact on the mechanical and tribological performance of the coatings. The tribological performance of plasma Vapour Deposition (PVD) duplex coating variants were tested using a bespoke in-house fretting tribometer with an electrodynamic shaker utilising a ball-on-plate configuration. Fretting was replicated by applying micro-motion to the Ø12 Al2O3 ball relative to duplex coated SS 316L plates under a dead weight normal load. Un-polished substrates prior to the coating deposition led to improved tribological performance likely due to improve coating adhesion to the substrate surface. The hydrogenated DLC sample variants showed lower friction performance compared to hydrogen-free DLC variants most likely due to higher amounts of graphitisation.

Characterization and Modelling of Microstructure Evolution and Flow Stress of Single-Phase Austenite and Ferrite Phases in Duplex Stainless Steels

This paper presents an experimental and modeling study to investigate and predict the microstructure evolution for single-phase austenite and ferrite steels with the chemistry of the corresponding phases in a duplex stainless steel SUS329J4L under hot forming conditions. For steels with the compositions corresponding to both austenite and ferrite phases, single-pass hot uniaxial compression tests, stress relaxation tests, and heat treatment tests have been conducted for a temperature range of 1000–1250 °C and strain rates ranging from 0.3 to 30 s−1. The dynamic and static recrystallization mechanisms, as well as the grain growth behavior, were studied, and the material parameters of each mechanism were identified for a semi-empirical microstructure model called StrucSim. Double-compression tests in the same temperature and strain rate range were performed to validate the model, and a good correlation of the flow stress between the experiment and simulation was observed.

Accelerated Destruction of Passive Film and Microbial Corrosion of 316L Stainless Steel via Extracellular Electron Transfer

The dense passive film on 316L stainless steel is the key in its corrosion resistance. Its interactions with an electroactive biofilm are critical in deciphering microbial corrosion. Herein, an in‐depth investigation using genetic manipulations and addition of an exogenous electron mediator found that extracellular electron transfer (EET) mediated by the electroactive S. oneidensis biofilm grown aerobically accelerated the destruction of the microstructure and weakened the passive film. The changes in surface properties accelerated the electrochemical reactions and increased pitting corrosion. The redox state on the surface also changed due to the activity of the electroactive biofilm. A synergistic EET corrosion mechanism, including both direct and mediated electron transfer with passive film destruction was proposed to illustrate the corrosion caused by electroactive S. oneidensis. The techniques used in this work provide a systematic approach to probe EET impact on microbial corrosion by electroactive biofilms with electron transfer across the biotic‐abiotic interfaces.

Strengthening Mechanism of Antibacterial Stainless Steel Based on Heterogeneous Nano/Ultrafine Austenite with High Dislocation Density

Strengthening Mechanism of Antibacterial Stainless Steel Based on Heterogeneous Nano/Ultrafine Austenite with High Dislocation Density

Evaluation by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy of the Effects of Root Canal Instrumentation on the Radicular Dentine.

One area of technological advancement has been the shift from stainless steel hand tools to nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) rotary tools. This paper aims to perform an invitro comparative study to evaluate the efficacy of five endodontic manual and rotary instruments such as Kerr files, Orodeka Plex V, ProTaper Flydent NiTi super files, and ProTaper Flydent NiTi super files in combination with an ultrasonic endodontic E3D Diamantata EMS scaler used for root canal shaping. The following aspects were highlighted: effective removal of smear layer (SL) from the dentinal tubules in the coronal 1/3, middle 1/3, and apical 1/3 of the root canal, appearance of cracks in the dentinal walls by SEM analysis, and highlighting of dentin mineral content and remnant debris by EDX analysis. In the study, 48 monoradicular, uninjured teeth were taken and divided into four groups, each with 12 teeth to be canal modeled, then longitudinally sectioned; the active surface was metallized for SEM-EDX analysis. From the SEM micrograph analysis, the morphology of the crystallites, the distribution of SL components, and the highlighting of instrumentation path traces/amplitudes were observed. By analyzing the SEM photomicrographs at 750 and 800× magnification, it was possible to highlight the cracks in the root dentinal walls. Thus, in comparison with Lots I and II which did not present cracks, in Lot III multiple cracks of the root dentinal walls were identified, especially in the coronal 1/3, and in Lot IV cracks were present with preponderance in the coronal and apical 1/3 of the root canals. The EDX images with atom mapping show very well the rather homogeneous elemental distribution for Ca, N, and P, respectively inhomogeneous for Na, Ca, Si, C, N, O, and P elements, as a result of the presence of remnant products from the processing of the root dentinal walls. Root canal instrumentation performed with both manual Kerr needle instrumentation by a convection technique and the rotary, Orodeka system, by crown-down technique, resulted in minimal SL formation in all three root canal areas, unlike the ProTaper FlyDent system. Most cracks were recorded in the case of the ProTaper Flydent rotary instruments and the one in which it was paired with a diamond ultrasonic scaler. The occurrence of dentinal cracks causes a decrease in dentinal microhardness, favoring the occurrence of root fractures.

Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of SUS 630 Stainless Steel: Effects of Age Hardening in a Tin Bath and Atmospheric Environments

This study investigates the solution-aging treatment of precipitation-hardening SUS 630 stainless steel, alongside an analysis of the carbon emissions generated by the energy consumed during aging treatments. By employing atmospheric and liquid tin as aging media, the research comprehensively explores the effects of aging treatments on the characteristics of 630 stainless steel. The maximum hardness value for the 630 stainless steel was observed after atmospheric aging at 500 °C for 1 h. The given 630 stainless steel obtained its maximum hardness value after atmospheric aging at 500 °C for 1 h, indicating that the formation of secondary precipitates strengthens the steel’s performance. By leveraging the intrinsic characteristics of liquid tin, using it as an aging medium (Sn bath aging) significantly improves the efficiency of the aging process, achieving mechanical properties comparable to those of atmosphere-aged steel. The 630 stainless steel aged in a Sn bath exhibited a refined martensitic matrix with substantial precipitate formation, contributing to superior impact toughness and dynamic fatigue resistance. With an equivalent mass and performance, Sn bath aging notably reduced the duration of the treatment compared to atmospheric aging, leading to substantial energy savings and reduced carbon emissions. The Sn bath treatment, recognized in metallurgical science and heat treatment for its excellent thermal conductivity and recyclability, shows potential to enhance process efficiency and enable low carbon emissions in the heat treatment industry. By highlighting the differences between aging methods, this study provides solutions for optimizing heat treatment processes and thereby achieving industrial advancement and sustainability goals.

Investigation of the Microstructures and Fracture Failure Mechanisms of Metal Active Gas Welded Joints of Dissimilar 304 Stainless Steels and Q235B/Q345 Low-Carbon Steels

Investigation of the Microstructures and Fracture Failure Mechanisms of Metal Active Gas Welded Joints of Dissimilar 304 Stainless Steels and Q235B/Q345 Low-Carbon Steels

Effect of Porosity on Tribological Properties of Medical-Grade 316L Stainless Steel Manufactured by Laser-Based Powder Bed Fusion

The potential of laser-based powder bed fusion (L-PBF) technology for producing functional components relies on its capability of maintaining or even improving the mechanical properties of the processed material. This improvement is associated with the microstructure resulting from the high thermal gradient and fast cooling rate. However, this microstructural advantage may be counterbalanced by the lack of full density, which could be tolerated to a certain degree for applications such as biomedical implants and medical equipment. In this study, medical-grade 316L stainless steel specimens with porosities ranging from 1.7 to 9.1% were additively manufactured by L-PBF using different combinations of laser power and scanning speeds. Tribological properties were evaluated by pin-on-disc testing in dry conditions against a silicon nitride test body and analyzed in the context of microstructural characterization by optical and electron microscopy. The results reveal that higher porosity allows for a diminishing wear rate, which is explained by the capacity of the pores to retain wear debris related with the three-body abrasion. This research provides practical insights into the design of medical wear-resistant components, thereby enhancing our understanding of the potential of L-PBF in the fields of materials science and biomedical engineering.