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ABSTRACTFlexibility is one of the important mechanical performance parameters of stent. The flexibility of tapered stents, especially self-expanding tapered stents, remains unknown. In this study, we developed a new selfexpanding tapered stent for tapered arteries and performed a numerical investigation of stent flexibility by using finite element method. The effect of stent design parameters, including taper and link space width, on stent flexibility was studied. The flexibility of the proposed stent was also compared with that of traditional cylindrical stents. Results show that the tapered stent is more flexible than the traditional cylindrical stent. Furthermore, the flexibility of the tapered stent increases with increasing stent taper and stent link space width. The increase in the stent link space width can contribute to the reduction in the peak stress. Therefore, tapered stents with high link space width will improve the stent flexibility. This work provides useful information for improvement of stent design and clinical selection.

ABSTRACTVessel flexure can be triggered naturally by surgical operation, heart pulsation and body movement. It may affect the mechanical behavior of the stent and the existence of a stent may in turn cause vessel injury. In the present study, the finite element method is employed to study the interaction between stent and vessel during vessel flexure. Two- and four-link stents made of stainless steel 316L and magnesium alloy WE43 are considered. Results indicate that longitudinal deformation of the stent can be caused by vessel flexure, and the higher levels of stress exist in the link struts. The existence of the stent could induce significant stress concentration and straightened deformation on vessel wall in the course of vessel flexure. Stents with more links or made of harder materials show greater anti-deformation capability, thus inducing a more severe stress concentration and straightened deformation on the vessel wall. The bending direction also affects the mechanical performance of the vessel-stent system. The results obtained could provide useful information for better stent designs and clinical decisions.

The tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding–brazing technology using Mg based filler was developed to join AZ31B Mg alloy to TA2 pure Ti in a lap configuration. The results indicate that robust joints can be obtained with welding current in the range of 60–70 A and welding speed of 0·2 m min−1. The joints were found to be composed of the coarse grained fusion zone accompanied with the precipitated phase of Mg17Al12, and a distributed Mg–Ti solid solution zone at the interface of Mg/Ti, indicating that metallurgical bonding was achieved. The maximum tensile–shear strength of 193·5 N mm−1, representing 82·3% joint efficiency relative to the Mg alloy base metal, was attained. The optimised Mg/Ti joint fractured at Mg fusion zone upon tensile–shear loading, mainly caused by grain coarsening. Moreover, the fracture surface practically consisted of scraggly areas, which was characterised by equiaxed dimple patterns accompanied with a few lamellar tearing.

In the present study, diffusion bonding of commercially pure titanium to 304 stainless steel (SS) using a pure Ag interlayer was carried out. It is found that the pure Ag interlayer can effectively block the interdiffusion and interaction between Ti and SS. The resultant joints were composed of Ti substrate, Ti–Ag solid solution, TiAg intermetallic phase, the remnant Ag interlayer and SS. Upon tensile loading, fracture took place through the remnant Ag interlayer, indicating that the TiAg intermetallic phase exhibits no detrimental effect on the strength of the joints. A maximum tensile strength of 421 MPa was achieved, which is notably improved compared with previous results. Furthermore, extensive dimples were observed on the fracture surfaces, clearly indicating that the joints were ductile in nature.

Oscillation behaviour of the oxidation of CO (0.2–2.2%) in air over Pt wire coils and over Pt/Al2O3 catalysts deposited onto the coils (pellistors) has been investigated. The waveforms differ considerably between the two catalytic systems. Over unsupported Pt at 240–260° C, regular oscillations were accompanied by slowly declining activity and by deposition of carbon. Over supported Pt at 110–180°C, relatively complex but sustained oscillation occurred by a different mechanism. This oscillation was greatly enhanced by H2 (0.25–1.0%), and may involve fluctuations in the concentrations of CO and H2 around the supported catalyst.