Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Boron-Nitride Thin Films by Ion Milling and Thermal Treatment for Tribological Coatings: An Approach to Quantifying the Growth Dynamic Process.

Hexagonal boron-nitride nanoparticle coating was deposited on AISI 1045 steel surface. The deposition process included a transformation of B-containing thin organic film into nanocrystalline BN using two methods: thermal annealing at 450-850 °C and reactive ion etching in Ar/N plasma. The film structure, phases, and film morphology of deposited nanoparticles of boron nitride on AISI 1045 steel were characterized by XPS, XRD, and EDS.

Investigation of mechanical and physicochemical properties of clinically retrieved titanium-niobium orthodontic archwires.

Purpose: Most of the orthodontic archwires used in the clinical practice nowadays contain nickel (Ni), however, many patients, especially kids, are allergic to Ni. One possible Ni-free alternative is the Titanium-Niobium (Ti-Nb) archwire. Unfortunately, there is not enough information about its mechanical properties in the literature, especially after clinical usage.