Evaluation of DLC, WC/C, and TiN Coatings on Martensitic Stainless Steel and Yttria-Stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal Substrates for Reusable Surgical Scalpels

Abstract

DLC, WC/C, and TiN coated SF 100 martensitic stainless steel and Yttria-Stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal (Y-TZP) surgical scalpels were tested, characterized, and comparatively evaluated with regard to chemical leach, micromorphology, and mechanical properties in order to evaluate their suitability as reusable surgical scalpels. Vickers microhardness (HV), Scratch Hardness Number (), and sharpening by grinding and cutting capabilities of all the coated scalpels were deemed appropriate for reusable surgical scalpels. However, coated Y-TZP scalpels demonstrated higher Vickers microhardness than martensitic stainless steel scalpels coated with the same coatings, except DLC coating on Y-TZP substrate that presented less adhesion than the other coatings. Uncoated and coated martensitic stainless steel scalpels presented corrosion and chemical leach when soaked for a defined period of time in a simulant physiological saline solution, while uncoated and coated Y-TZP scalpels did not present these drawbacks. Therefore, DLC, WC/C, and TiN coated SF 100 martensitic stainless steel surgical scalpels are unsuitable as reusable surgical scalpels, limiting their application to disposable scalpels only, as the uncoated ones, despite their higher microhardness and expected longer cutting capability duration. Based on these experimental results, WC/C and TiN coated Y-TZP scalpels can be proposed as candidates for reusable surgical scalpel applications.

Coating Cutting Blades with Thin-Film Metallic Glass to Enhance Sharpness

“…Pini et al . 6 reported on a variety of hard coatings for stainless steel surgical scalpels, including diamond-like carbon (DLC), tungsten carbide/carbon (WC/C) and titanium nitride (TiN). Their results indicate that these coatings are well suited to reusable surgical scalpels.…”

Application of ALD Thin Films on the Surface of the Surgical Scalpel Blade

“…Coatings applied to dental screws allow for better adjustment, reduced torque during assembly, and a greater holding force for the screws after assembly. Surgical instrument coatings increase scratch resistance, are anti-reflective and have antibacterial properties to reduce the risk of infection developing during surgery [17][18][19]. Coated bone saws have oil-free lubrication, which allows the tool to work properly at high speed, even at low temperatures.…”

“…The aim of the study was to deposit ALD zinc oxide thin films on the blades of surgical scalpels and to investigate the structure and adhesion of the layers deposited. PVD and CVD methods have been the most frequently reported [17][18][19][20][21][22][23]; however, the ALD method is characterized by high accuracy in controlling the thickness of layers and enables the entire element to be covered, even if it is of a complex shape. The antibacterial properties of ZnO have been applied in medicine for decades, as evidenced by a relatively wide range of solutions available on the market.…”

Analysis of a Feasibility Study of a Precision Grinding Process for Industrial Blades Used in the Cutting of Soft Tissues by a Prototype 5-Axis CNC Grinding Machine

“…), are coated with special layers [12], which increase the abrasion resistance and reduce the coefficient of friction. The most commonly used coatings are titanium nitride (TiN) [13,14], titanium carbide (TiC) [15], titanium carbo-nitride (TiCN) [16], and titanium aluminum-nitride (TiAlN) [17], created by the use of physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods. Zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating [18], diamond coating [19], and diamond-like coating (DLC) [20,21], created by the use of plasma sharpened diamond (PSD), are less frequently used.…”