In the present work, the use of porous titanium is proposed as a solution to the difference in stiffness between the implant and bone tissue, avoiding the bone resorption. Conventional powder metallurgical technique is an industrially established route for fabrication of this type of material. The results are discussed in terms of the influence of compaction pressure and sintering temperature on the porosity (volumetric fraction, size, and morphology) and the quality of the sintering necks. A very good agreement between the predicted values obtained using a simple 2D finite element model, the experimental uniaxial compression behavior, and the analytical model proposed by Nielsen, has been found for both the Young’s modulus and the yield strength. The porous samples obtained by the loose sintering technique and using temperatures between 1000 °C −1100 °C (about 40% of total porosity) are recommended for achieving a suitable biomechanical behavior for cortical bone partial replacement.

This study examined how pH hydrolysis affects the recovery process for antimony extracted from spent electrolytes. Various OH⁻ reagents were used to adjust the pH levels. The findings reveal that pH plays a crucial role in determining the optimal conditions for extracting antimony. The results show that NH₄OH and NaOH are more effective compared to water, with optimal conditions at pH 0.5 for water and pH 1 for NH₄OH and NaOH, resulting in average antimony extraction yields of 90.4%, 96.1%, and 96.7%, respectively. Furthermore, this approach helps to improve both crystallography and purity related to recovered antimony samples obtained through recycling processes. The solid precipitates obtained lack a crystalline structure, making it difficult to identify the compounds formed, but element concentrations suggest the presence of oxychloride or oxide compounds. Arsenic is incorporated into all solids, affecting the purity of the product, and water showing higher antimony content (68.38%) and lower arsenic values (8%) compared to NaOH and NH₄OH. Bismuth integration into solids is less than arsenic (less than 2%) and remains unaffected by pH levels except in tests with water, where a bismuth hydrolysis product is identified at pH 1, accounting for the observed reduction in antimony extraction yields.

This review article examines the corrosion phenomena and mitigation strategies associated with molten salts used in thermal energy storage (TES) and heat transfer applications. Corrosion presents a critical challenge in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants and other high-temperature systems, affecting the durability and cost-efficiency of materials in storage tanks, heat exchangers, and piping. This study offers a comprehensive comparison of corrosion test methods and results, analyzing factors such as operating conditions, salt compositions, and material properties. Emphasis is also placed on strategies such as molten salt purification, the addition of corrosion inhibitors, and the application of protective coatings. This review aims to advance research and development in the TES sector by highlighting knowledge gaps and proposing directions for future experimentation.

Fire refining of blister copper is a singular process at very high temperatures (~1400 K), which means the furnace is exposed to heavy thermal loads. The charge is directly heated by an internal burner. The impurities in the charge oxidize with the flux of hot gases, creating a slag layer on the top of the molten bath. This slag is periodically removed, which implies liquid metal flowing through the furnace port. To address its malfunction, a re-design of the furnace port is presented in this work. Due to the lack of previous technical information, the convective heat transfer coefficient between the slag and the furnace port was characterized through a combination of an experimental test and a three-dimensional transient model. Finally, the original design of the furnace port was analyzed and modifications were proposed, resulting in a reduction of the average temperature of the critical areas up to 300 K. This improvement prevents the anchoring of the accretion layer over the port plates and the steel plate from being attacked by the copper.