Corrosion performance of the biocompatible β-Ti12Mo6Zr2Fe alloy submitted to laser and plasma-nitriding surface modifications. (December 2022) - Travessa, Dilermando Nagle
Abstract: The corrosion behaviour of laser and plasma nitrided β-Ti12Mo6Zr2Fe biomaterial was evaluated. Polarisation curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were performed in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37 °C. Both treatments formed titanium-nitride at the alloy's surface, and significantly improved the corrosion performance of the alloy. At anodic potentials of the order of 1.0 V, the titanium-nitride layer seems to oxidise, independent of the nitriding process. Nanometric fissures formed on the plasma titanium-nitride layer seems to govern the impedance response at low frequencies, exposing the substrate to the electrolyte. Laser titanium-nitride layer is thicker and lead to a better corrosion performance. Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: Bioactivity, elastic modulus, and stability are important issues of Ti implants. Low modulus, no toxic high stable β-Ti alloys are candidates for human implants. Laser and plasma processing are efficient in designing surface characteristics of metals. Laser and plasma nitriding imposes compositional and microstructural changes. Changes caused by nitriding improves corrosion performance of β-Ti alloys.