We have obtained nanoscale and microscopic surface tantalum layers on NiTi flat substrates and wires. The structure and composition of the samples were determined by scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. With increasing sputtering time, the thickness of the surface layer increases nonlinearly. The transition layer ensures strong adhesion of the surface layer to the substrate.

The prospects of using barium-bearing master alloys for the deoxidation and modification of wheel steel are considered. The oxygen solubility is thermodynamically calculated in carbon-containing wheel steel melts for various deoxidation versions, and the results of laboratory and industrial experiments on the deoxidation and modification of railroad wheel steel are discussed. Industrial experiments performed at OAO Vyksunsk Metallurgical Works show that the use of barium-bearing master alloys for the deoxidation and modification of wheel steel under mass production conditions leads to a decrease in the nonmetallic inclusion contamination of a metal, a decrease in the rejection of solid-rolled railroad wheels, grain refinement in a metal, and an increase in its mechanical properties.

Composite materials "base–transition layer–surface metal layer (Ta/Ti)" were produced using a complex vacuum technology including magnetron sputtering. The structure (by scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry) and mechanical properties were studied. An almost linear increase in the thickness of both the surface and transition layers was observed with increasing deposition time and power; however, the growth of the surface layer slowed down with increasing power above some critical value. The transition zone with the growth of time stopped growing upon reaching about 300 nm and was formed approximately 2 times slower than the surface one (and about 3.5 times slower with power). It was noted that with equal sputtering–deposition parameters, the layer growth rates for tantalum and titanium were the same. In the sample with a Ta surface layer deposited on titanium, a strongly textured complex structure with alpha and beta Ta was observed, which is slightly related to the initial substrate structure and the underlying layer. However, even at small thicknesses of the surface layer, the co-deposition of tantalum and titanium contributes to the formation of a single tantalum phase, alpha.

The effect of the heating of a Ti substrate to 300 and 550°C on the microhardness of a hydroxyapatite (HA) plasma coating, Ti, and their interface is investigated in specimens in different states (as sprayed, after hydrothermal (650°C, 3 h) and vacuum heat treatment (800, 1000, 1100°C, 3 h)). It is shown that the preliminary heating of the substrate to 550°C leads to the interface microhardness increasing from 2.32 to 3.07 GPa, while the following heat treatment has a weak influence on that. After the heat treatment, the microhardness of the HA coating is increased from 3.0 to 3.8 GPa and the microhardness of the Ti substrate near the boundary is increased from 2.5 to 6.9 GPa. A slight effect of the heat treatment on the interface microhardness is explained by preservation of the interface structure formed under HA plasma spraying on the heated substrate. The distribution of chemical elements near the interface between the coating and substrate is studied by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES).

The article is devoted to the study of melted ingots, plates rolled from them, and the resulting spherical powder made of corrosion-resistant 316L steel with the addition of 0.2 wt.% and 0.5 wt.% Ag. The study of antibacterial properties, microstructure, and distribution of silver concentrations, as well as qualitative analysis of silver content was carried out. The optimal mode of homogenization annealing of the ingot was 1050 °C for 9 h, which leads to the formation of an austenitic structure. It is shown that the addition of a small amount of silver does not affect the formation of the austenitic structure and silver is distributed evenly throughout the volume of the ingot. The austenitic structure also prevails in the plates after rolling. Silver is distributed evenly throughout the entire volume of the plate. It is noted that the addition of 0.2 wt.% Ag does not affect the strength, elongation, and microhardness of steel, and the addition of 0.5 wt.% Ag does not significantly reduce the strength of steel, however, all samples meet the mechanical characteristics according to the ASTM A240 standard. The qualitative chemical composition of samples made of corrosion-resistant steels was confirmed by X-ray fluorescence analysis methods. By the method of energy-dispersion analysis, the presence of a uniform distribution of silver over the entire volume of the powder particle was determined. The particles have a spherical shape with a minimum number of defects. The study of the antibacterial activity of plates and powder shows the presence of a clear antibacterial effect (bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas campestris, Erwinia carotovora, Pseudomonas marginalis, Clavibacter michiganensis) in samples No. 2 and No. 3 with the addition of 0.2 wt.% and 0.5 wt.% Ag.