XPS or ESCA Surface Analysis:
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Measure quantitative surface elemental composition
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Identify surface contaminants
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Measure effects of surface treatments of vascular stent surfaces
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Determine surface oxide character since alloy oxides may differ greatly in composition dependent upon processing (Nitinol Stents, Stainless Steel Tubing)
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Examine oxide composition changes with depth by using argon ion etching (Nitinol Stents, Stainless Steel Tubing)
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Identify composition of stains and discolorations
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Examine brazed joints and electrical connections for proper composition at surfaces
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Check ceramics electrical insulators for composition and surface contaminants
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Determine cause of braze wetting problems
SEM/EDX Analysis:
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Determine cause and location of crack initiation for stent failures in flexure testing
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Examine device surfaces for microcracking
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Examine surface oxides for evidence of non-uniformity
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Check for fretting or scratches due to rubbing surfaces such as may occur on vascular stents
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Examine brazed electrical or hermetic seals for problems
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Determine nature and point of failure initiation of dental files in elastic torque testing
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Distinguish organic matter on metal devices using backscatter detection mode imaging
Differential Scanning Calorimetry or DSC:
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Determine glass transition temperature of polymeric materials and measure energy of transition
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Determine temperature of crystalline phase melting and measure energy of transition
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Compare relative volumes of crystalline versus amorphous phases in polymers
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Measure temperatures of austenitic and martinsitic transitions in Nitinol
Electrochemistry and Corrosion Testing:
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Cyclic potentiodynamic polarization to determine the corrosion susceptibility of small implant devices, ASTM F2129
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Electrochemical reactivation to detect sensitization of AISI type 304 and 304L stainless steels, ASTM G108; also modifications for other alloys
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Pitting or crevice corrosion of metallic surgical implant materials, ASTM F746
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