Comparative study between precious metal alloys, stainless steel, stainless alloys; their application in dentistry.
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Stainless steel treated with a mixed gas plasma of NH(3) plus O(2) had chemical and biologic characteristics distinct from untreated stainless steel or stainless steel treated with NH(3) or O(2) plasmas used separately. NH(3)/O(2) plasmas deposited nitrogen as both -CN (organic) and -NO (nitrate, nitrite)--materials not found on untreated stainless steel--and the contact angle changed from 44 degrees to 23 degrees. Treatment of stainless steel (and titanium) resulted in surfaces with enhanced resistance to platelet and leukocyte attachment. A gas plasma of N(2)O/O(2) also was found to reduce platelet and leukocyte attachment, suggesting that these properties may be common to surfaces coated with oxynitrites (nitrides). Upon subcutaneous implantation, no inflammation, hemolysis, or untoward thrombosis was noted in the tissue surrounding the wafers treated with the NH(3)/O(2) plasmas, although the cellular density was considerably reduced by 2 weeks after implant. Collectively, the results suggest that NH(3)/O(2) plasmas impart a unique character to stainless steel that may be useful in the construction of medical devices.
Stainless steel has been frequently used for temporary implants but its use as permanent implants is restricted due to its low pitting corrosion resistance. Nitrogen additions to these steels improve both mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, particularly the pitting and crevice corrosion resistance. Many reports concerning allergic reactions caused by nickel led to the development of nickel free stainless steel; it has excellent mechanical properties and very high corrosion resistance. On the other hand, stainless steels are biologically tolerated and no chemical bonds are formed between the steel and the bone tissue. Hydroxyapatite coatings deposited on stainless steels improve osseointegration, due their capacity to form chemical bonds (bioactive fixation) with the bone tissue. In this work hydroxyapatite coatings were plasma-sprayed on three austenitic stainless steels: ASTM-F138, ASTM-F1586 and the nickel-free Böhler-P558. The coatings were analyzed by SEM and XDR. The cytotoxicity of the coatings/steels was studied using the neutral red uptake method by quantitative evaluation of cell viability. The three uncoated stainless steels and the hydroxyapatite coated Böhler-P558 did not have any toxic effect on the cell culture. The hydroxyapatite coated ASTM-F138 and ASTM-F1586 stainless steels presented cytotoxicity indexes (IC50%) lower than 50% and high nickel contents in the extracts.
Stainless steel is a metallic alloy largely employed in orthopedics, maxillofacial surgery and orthodontic therapy. However, the presence in its composition of a high quantity of nickel, an agent known to trigger toxic, allergic and cancerogenous responses in humans, is cause of some concern. In this study, we have investigated the in vitro mutagenicity and genotoxicity of a new nickel-free stainless steel, namely P558, in comparison to the conventional stainless steel AISI 316L. The cytogenetic effects were evaluated by studying the frequency of Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCE) and chromosomal aberrations. Ames test was performed to detect the mutagenic activity. Both P558 and AISI 316L did not cause any significant increase in the average number of SCE and in chromosomal aberrations, either with or without metabolic activation. Furthermore, the Ames test showed that the extracts of both P558 and of AISI 316L are not mutagenic. Overall, these findings prove that P558 is devoid of genotoxicity and mutagenicity. The present results, together with other previous interesting observations that P558 promotes osseointegration, suggest that this new nickel-free stainless steel can represent a better alternative to other conventional steel alloys.
Stainless steel is a metallic alloy largely employed in orthopaedics. However, the presence in its composition of a high quantity of nickel, an agent known to trigger toxic and allergic responses, is cause for concern. In this study, we have investigated the in vitro biocompatibility of a new nickel-reduced stainless steel, namely Böhler P558, in comparison to the conventional stainless steel AISI 316L. The neutral red (NR) uptake and the amido black (AB) tests were performed on L929 fibroblasts and MG63 osteoblasts to assess the cytotoxicity, while cytogenetic effects were evaluated on CHOK1 cells by studying the frequency of Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCE) and chromosomal aberrations. Ames test was used to detect the mutagenic activity. The expression of selected markers typical of differentiated osteoblasts, such as alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), type I collagen (CICP) and osteocalcin (OC) production, were also monitored in MG63 cells cultured on the tested materials. Our results indicate the absence of significant cytotoxicity and genotoxicity for both test alloys. ALP, CICP and OC analyses confirmed that both materials support the expression of these phenotypic markers. Overall, these data show that this Ni-free alloy possesses good in vitro biocompatibility and could have a potential for orthopaedic applications.
Stainless steel, developed because of their greater resistance to corrosion in different aggressive environments, have proved to be affected, however, by various processes and types of corrosion. Some of these types of corrosion, mainly pitting, is activated and developed in the presence of microorganisms, which acting in an isolated or symbiotic way, according to their adaptation to the environment, create a favorable situation for the corrosion of these steel. The microorganisms that are involved, mainly bacteria of both the aerobic and anaerobic type, modify the environment where the stainless steel is found, creating crevices, differential aeration zones or a more aggressive environment with the presence of metabolites. In these circumstances, a local break of the passive and passivating layer is produced, which is proper to these types of steel and impedes the repassivation that is more favorable to corrosion. In the study and research of these types of microbiologically influenced corrosion are found electrochemical techniques, since corrosion is fundamentally an electrochemical process, and microbiological techniques for the identification, culture, and evaluation of the microorganisms involved in the process, as well as in the laboratory or field study of microorganism-metal pairs. Microstructural characterization studies of stainless steel have also been considered important, since it is known that the microstructure of steel can substantially modify their behavior when faced with corrosion. As for surface analysis studies, it is known that corrosion is a process that is generated on and progresses from the surface. The ways of dealing with microbiologically influenced corrosion must necessarily include biocides, which are not always usable or successful, the design of industrial equipment or components that do not favor the adherence of microorganisms, using microstructures in steel less sensitive to corrosion, or protecting the materials.
Stainless steel for fabricating food processing equipment is available with various surface finishes. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of surface finish on cleanability. Nine samples of stainless steel, type 304, from various manufacturers including no finish (hot rolled and pickled), #4 finish, 2B mechanical polished, and electropolished were tested. Cleanability was assessed by using coupon samples soiled with either cultured milk inoculated with spores of Bacillus stearothermophilus or by growth of a Pseudomonas sp. biofilm. Samples were cleaned by immersion in a turbulent bath of 1.28% sodium hydroxide at 66 degrees C for 3 min followed by a sterile water rinse, neutralizing in 0.1% phosphoric acid for 30 s, rinsing in phosphate buffer, sanitizing in 100 ppm hypochlorite, neutralizing in sodium thiosulfate, and drying. To determine residual milk soil, coupon samples were covered with PM indicator agar and incubated for 25 h at 58 degrees C. Other coupons were subjected to an additional 10 soiling or cleaning cycles, and the residual protein was measured by using epifluorescent microscopy and image analysis. Results indicate that the spore count was more precise for measuring initial cleanability of the finished samples, and the protein residue determination was useful for determining the effect of repeated cleaning. Data on the removal of milk soil suggest that stainless steel should be purchased based on measures of surface defects rather than finish type. Surface defects, as determined using a surface roughness gauge, produced a correlation of 0.82 with spore counts. Data also indicated that biofilm was more difficult to remove than milk-based soil.
Welding may be detrimental to the male reproductive system. To test this hypothesis, semen quality was examined in 35 stainless steel welders, 46 mild steel welders, and 54 non-welding metal workers and electricians. These figures represent a participation rate of 37.1% in welders and 36.7% in non-welding subjects. The mean exposure to welding fume particulates was 1.3 mg/m3 (SD 0.8) in stainless steel welders using tungsten inert gas, 3.2 mg/m3 (SD 1.0) in low exposed mild steel welders using manual metal arc or metal active gas (n = 31), and 4.7 mg/m3 (SD 2.1) in high exposed mild steel welders (n = 15). The semen quality of each participant was defined in terms of the mean values of the particular semen parameters in three semen samples delivered at monthly intervals in a period with occupational exposure in a steady state. The sperm concentration was not reduced in either mild steel or stainless steel welders. The sperm count per ejaculate, the proportion of normal sperm forms, the degree of sperm motility, and the linear penetration rate of the sperm were significantly decreased and the sperm concentration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was non-significantly increased in mild steel welders. A dose response relation between exposure to welding fumes and these semen parameters (sperm count excepted) was found. Semen quality decreased and FSH concentrations increased with increasing exposure. Significant deteriorations in some semen parameters were also observed in stainless steel welders. An analysis of information from questionnaires obtained from the whole population including subjects who declined to participate indicated an underestimation of effects due to selection bias. Potential confounding was treated by restriction and statistical analysis. The results support the hypothesis that mild steel welding and to a lesser extent stainless steel welding with tungsten inert gas is associated with reduced semen quality at exposure in the range of the Danish process specific threshold limit values of welding.
Stainless steel (SS), titanium (cpTi), and Ti-6Al-7Nb (TAN) are frequently used metals in orthopedic internal fracture fixation. Although reactivity to SS and cpTi are noted in reference, the soft tissue compatibility of TAN has not been comprehensively studied. This study focuses on the in vitro soft tissue compatibility of TAN in comparison to SS and cpTi using a human fibroblast model. The industrial standard surface finishes of these three materials vary considerably in view of their use in similar applications. To distinguish between material parameters of topography and chemistry, we have included electropolished (e.p) counterparts of the standard preparations of cpTi and TAN in the study (standard SS is e.p). All materials were characterized using atomic force microscopy, profilometry, and scanning electron microscopy. Our findings demonstrate that cell morphology and growth rate was similar for SS, and e.p. cpTi and TAN, with cells well spread and forming a confluent monolayer by 10 days. Cell growth on standard cpTi was similar to the electropolished samples; however, they showed a less spread morphology with more filopodia and surface ruffling present. Cell morphology on standard TAN was rounded or elongated and proliferation was inhibited at all time points, with possible cell necrosis by day 10. We found evidence of endocytosis of beta-phase particles originating from the standard TAN surface. We believe that the particle uptake coupled with the characteristic surface topography contribute to the noncytocompatibility of fibroblasts on standard TAN.
A mortality study was carried out in conjunction with the European mortality study among welders coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The study was aimed at assessing risks for lung cancer in relation to exposure to asbestos, welding fumes containing chromium and nickel, and tobacco smoke. The study included a cohort of 2721 welders and an internal comparison group of 6683 manual workers employed in 13 factories in France. The mortality of the two cohorts was studied from 1975 to 1988 by the historical prospective method. Job histories of welders were traced including welding processes used, metals welded, and proportion of worktime spent in welding. Data on smoking habits were collected from medical records. The observed number of deaths were compared with those expected (standardised mortality ratio (SMR)) based on national rates with adjustments for age, sex, and calendar time. The smoking habits of 87% of the whole study population were known. The distribution of welders and controls according to smoking was not statistically different. The overall mortality was slightly higher for welders (SMR = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.89-1.18) than for controls (SMR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.84-0.99). For lung cancer, the SMR was 1.24 (95% CI 0.75-1.94) for welders, whereas the corresponding value was lower for controls (SMR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.68-1.26). The SMR for lung cancer was 1.59 among non-shipyard mild steel welders (95% CI 0.73-3.02). This contrasted with the results for all stainless steel welders (SMR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.19-2.69), and for stainless steel welders predominantly exposed to chromium VI (SMR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.12-3.71). Moreover, SMRs for lung cancer for mild steel welders tended to increase with duration of exposure and time since first exposure, leading to significant excesses for duration > or = 20 years and latency > or = 20 years. Such a pattern was not found for stainless steel welders.
The cancer incidence in a historical cohort of 10,059 metal workers employed during the period 1964-1984 was investigated. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated based on registry extracts from the Danish Cancer registry. Lifetime exposure data (occupational and other) were obtained by a postal questionnaire in living cohort members and interviews by proxy for deceased and emigrated subjects. The incidence of lung cancer was increased among workers ever "employed as welders" (SIR = 1.38, 95% C.I. 1.03-1.81). There was a significant excess risk of lung cancer among "mild steel (MS) only welders" (SIR = 1.61, 95% C.I. 1.07-2.33) and "nonwelders" (SIR = 1.69, 95% C.I. 1.23-2.26) (indicating carcinogenic exposures other than welding), a borderline significant lung cancer excess among "MS ever welders" (SIR = 1.32, 95% C.I. 0.97-1.76), and a nonsignificant excess risk of lung cancer among "stainless steel (SS) only welders" (SIR = 2.38, 95% C.I. 0.77-5.55). In spite of signs of inconsistency in the risk estimation by duration and latency, we find the results support the conclusions of other studies: employment as a welder is associated with an increased lung cancer risk.
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In this study, the in vitro corrosion resistance of a superferritic stainless steel in naturally aerated Hank's solution at 37 degrees C has been determined to evaluate the steel for use as a biomaterial. The potentiodynamic polarization method and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to determine the corrosion resistance. The polarization results showed very low current densities at the corrosion potential and electrochemical behavior typical of passive metals. At potentials above 0.75 V (SCE), and up to that of the oxygen evolution reaction, the superferritic steel exhibited transpassive behavior followed by secondary passivation. The superferritic stainless steel exhibited high pitting resistance in Hank's solution. This steel did not reveal pits even after polarization to 3000 mV (SCE). The EIS results indicated high impedance values at low frequencies, supporting the results obtained from the polarization measurements. The results obtained for the superferritic steel have been compared with those of the Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy and an austenitic stainless steel, as Ti alloys are well known for their high corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, and the austenitic stainless steel is widely used as an implant material. The cytotoxicity tests indicated that the superferritic steel, the austenitic steel, and the Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy were not toxic. Based on corrosion resistance and cytotoxicity results, the superferritic stainless steel can be considered as a potential biomaterial.
Stainless steel coupons were treated with skim milk and subsequently challenged with individual bacterial suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas fragi, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Serratia marcescens. The numbers of attached bacteria were determined by direct epifluorescence microscopy and compared with the attachment levels on clean stainless steel with two different surface finishes. Skim milk was found to reduce adhesion of S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, and S. marcescens. P. fragi and E. coli attached in very small numbers to the clear surfaces, making the effect of any adsorbed protein layer difficult to assess. Individual milk proteins alpha-casein, beta-casein, kappa-casein, and alpha-lactalbumin were also found to reduce the adhesion of S. aureus and L. monocytogenes. The adhesion of bacteria to samples treated with milk dilutions up to 0.001% was investigated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to determine the proportion of nitrogen in the adsorbed films. Attached bacterial numbers were inversely related to the relative atomic percentage of nitrogen on the surface. A comparison of two types of stainless steel surface, a 2B and a no. 8 mirror finish, indicated that the difference in these levels of surface roughness did not greatly affect bacterial attachment, and reduction in adhesion to a milk-treated surface was still observed. Cross-linking of adsorbed proteins partially reversed the inhibition of bacterial attachment, indicating that protein chain mobility and steric exclusion may be important in this phenomenon.
Stainless steel welders are not potential occupational risk of geno- and cytotoxic exposure to chemical mutagens and carcinogens contained in welding fumes. The studies of biological activity of welding fumes evidence their cytotoxicity which depends on chromium and nickel content. In 20 stainless steel welders exposed to chromium and nickel contained in welding fumes, kinetics of cell division was assessed in the culture of peripheral blood lymphocytes. No significant differences were found in the cell division rates between the group of exposed welders and the controls. In welders who smoke, the number of cells present after 70 hrs in the third mitotic division, was reduced in comparison to smokers in the control group what may be considered as a symptom of cytotoxic effect of a combined exposure to welding fumes and tobacco smoke.
OBJECTIVE: Stainless steel (SS) welders usually spend some of their working time grinding, to finish and smoothen the welding groove. The aim of this study was to investigate possible relations between the concentrations of nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) in the work atmosphere generated by grinders grinding SS, and to compare the air levels to the levels of Cr and Ni in their biological fluids. Hereby, it might be possible to identify the contribution of grinding to the levels of Cr and Ni in biological fluids in SS welders. Also the airborne levels of Cr and Ni in SS grinders were compared to corresponding levels in SS welders. METHOD/DESIGN: The subjects examined in this study were selected among SS grinders not performing welding. Nine grinders were monitored for 1 workweek, measuring Cr and Ni in air, blood and urine. They were questioned about their exposure to Cr and Ni during their working careers. RESULTS: Air levels of total Cr up to 95 microg/m(3) and Ni levels up to 25 microg/m(3) were measured. Chromium(VI) (Cr(VI)) was detectable only in five air samples; the levels in the remaining samples were below the detection limit. The levels of Cr in blood and urine were also low. The levels of Ni in urine were close to those for MMA and MIG/MAG SS welders. In spite of high levels of total Cr and Ni observed in air, the levels found in biological fluids were low. The Cr levels in more than 50% of the whole blood and red cell samples and about 1/3 of the Cr-plasma levels were below the detection limits. The mean blood levels for Cr were 0.43, 0.60 and 0.35 microg/l, in whole blood, plasma and red cells, respectively. The mean levels for Cr in the urine was 1.6, 1.4 and 1.4 microg/g creatinine for the first void, just before and just after work. For Ni the mean blood levels were 0.87 microg/l in whole blood and 0.68 microg/l in plasma. The mean levels and ranges of Ni from the first void, just before and after work in urine were 3.79 microg/g creatinine, 3.39 and 4.56, respectively. The Cr concentrations found in whole blood, plasma and red cells were approximately the same as those found in the unexposed controls and among TIG SS welders, while the urinary levels were somewhat higher, but still lower than in the welders applying other welding techniques. The mean levels of Ni in the urine of grinders were higher than those of welders, except for SS welders welding the MIG/MAG-method. CONCLUSION: SS Grinding seems not to contribute significantly to the uptake of Cr, which may be explained by the fact that most of Cr in the air is present in the metallic (0-valent) or trivalent form, and hardly any as Cr(VI), and therefore hardly being taken up in the airways. The grinders' uptake of Ni seems to take place to the same extent as in SS welders.