Affiliations: Groupe de Recherche en Biomécanique/Biomatériaux, École Polytechnique de Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succ. cv, Mtl (QC) H3C 3A7, Canada | Laboratoire d'électrochimie et des matériaux énergétiques, École Polytechnique de Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succ. cv, Mtl (QC) H3C 3A7, Canada | Memry Corporation, 3 Berkshire Boulevard, Bethel, CT 06801, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: L'Hocine Yahia, Professor and Director of Biomechanics and Biomaterials Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, École Polytechnique, P.O. Box 6079, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3A7, Canada. Tel.: +1 514 340 4711, ext. 4378; Fax: +1 514 340 4611; E-mail: yahia@grbb.polymtl.ca.
Abstract: The beta-titanium alloy, a particular type of titanium, has been investigated as a biomaterial because of its good mechanical performances and its high corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. This work focuses on the corrosion performance of a β-titanium alloy of composition Ti–11Mo–2V–4Nb–3Al in Hank's physiological solution. Potentiodynamic tests were performed from −0.25 V to 3.5 V; the breakdown potential was not reached. To observe the behaviour of the alloy while submitted to long-term aggressive conditions, 1, 4 and 8 cycles of cyclic polarization were carried out. Results show a high resistance of the alloy to corrosion and a stabilization of the surface after several corrosion cycles. Pitting was not observed and a fast ability of the surface to repassivate was noticed. The surface was characterized by different techniques before and after corrosion testing. Following the corrosion tests, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) showed the presence of calcium and phosphorus, an increase of the oxide layer was measured by Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), a relatively smooth surface was visualised by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and contact-angle measurements showed that the surface energy increased.
