Oxidation Start Detection on Heating Parts of Thermogravimetry Curves for High Temperature Alloys Based on Nickel, Cobalt or Iron
The heating parts of thermogravimetry curves performed for cast alloys in air at high temperatures were analysed, after correction from the effects of air buoyancy variation, to characterize the transient oxidation before reaching the targeted temperature for the isothermal stage usually applied thereafter. This was done here for three binary M-30Cr alloys, six ternary M-30Cr-0.4 and 0.8%C alloys, and three M-30Cr-0.4C-6Ta quaternary alloys, heated in synthetic air at 20 K min-1 until 1000, 1100 or 1200°C. The cobalt alloys begin to be oxidized with a sufficient mass gain to be detected by thermogravimetry, earlier than the nickel or iron alloys (i.e. at lower temperatures). The temperature of oxidation start is lowered by the presence of tantalum for the three families of alloys. When the carbon content (or the carbides density) increases in the alloy, the temperature of oxidation start decreases for the cobalt alloys and remains almost constant for the nickel or iron alloys, while the total mass gain due to oxidation during heating increases for the nickel and cobalt alloys and decreases for the iron alloys.
Beginning of oxidation during heating in the case of cast nickel based alloys containing carbides of chromium and/or tantalum
The heating parts of thermogravimetry curves initially performed with alloys or superalloys for studying their behaviour in isothermal oxidation, can be easily corrected from the ArchimedeÂÂs thrust in order to examine how oxidation acts during the heating. This was done in this work for several cast nickel-based alloys, a binaryNi-30Cr, six ternaryNi-30Cr-(0.2 to 2.0)C and three quaternary alloys containing Ta, for the same heating rate. The temperatures at which oxidation induced mass gains high enough to be detectable were all higher than 800°C, but with a reproducibility which can depend on the presence of tantalum for example. The total mass gain obtained at the end of heating was also studied versus the chemical composition of the alloys. Tantalum enhances oxidation during heating.
Mucoadhesive Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery to the Anterior Eye
While the use of topical drops for the delivery of drugs to the anterior of the eye is well accepted, it is far from efficient with as little as 5% of the drug instilled on the eye actually reaching the target tissue. The ability to prolong the residence time on the eye is desirable. Based on the acceptability of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate based polymers in contact lens applications, the current work focuses on the development of a poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)) nanoparticle system. The particles were modified to allow for degradation and to permit mucoadhesion. Size and morphological analysis of the final polymer products showed that nano-sized, spherical particles were produced. FTIR spectra demonstrated that the nanoparticles comprised poly(HEMA) and that 3-(acrylamido)phenylboronic acid (3AAPBA), as a mucoadhesive, was successfully incorporated. Degradation of nanoparticles containing N,N′-bis(acryloyl)cystamine (BAC) after incubation with DL-dithiothreitol (DTT) was confirmed by a decrease in turbidity and through transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nanoparticle mucoadhesion was shown through an in-vitro zeta potential analysis.