Journal of Dental Research, Vol 64, 842-847, Copyright © 1985 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
In vitro crevice corrosion behavior of implant materials
E. J. Sutow, D. W. Jones and E. L. Milne
The crevice corrosion susceptibility of cold-worked Type 316LVM stainless
steel, cast Co-Cr-Mo, wrought Co-Cr-W-Ni, non-nitrided and nitrided
Ti-6Al-4V ELI, and c.p. Ti, Grades 1 and 4, was studied in vitro by means
of a crevice cell. Occlusion was created by interfacing a disc specimen and
a Teflon bar. Specimens were mechanically prepared through 2-4 micron Al2O3
and passivated in 30% HNO3, followed by steam sterilization. Tests were
performed in a deaerated Ringer's solution, maintained at pH = 7 and 37
degrees C. Anodic polarization was conducted potentiostatically at
pre-selected levels, and resultant currents were monitored: stainless
steel, 50 and 100 mV (S.C.E.), 450 min; non-stainless materials, 600 mV,
1000 min. Results for the stainless steel demonstrated that a HNO3
passivation treatment reduced its crevice corrosion susceptibility. For the
non-stainless steel materials, no crevice corrosion susceptibility was
observed, although a dulling and discoloration of c.p. Ti was evident.
Recognizing that 600 mV is in excess of the O2 reduction potential in vivo,
it was concluded that, in the absence of fretting, implants of these
non-stainless steel materials would not experience significant corrosion
loss under crevice conditions.
