Corrosion of Ti‐6Al‐4V in simulated body fluids and bovine plasma

Abstract

Abstract The corrosion of Ti‐6Al‐4V at 37°C in several simulated body fluids and bovine plasma was studied using the passive current‐time technique. A 0.9% NaCl (bw)‐0.1 N NaH 2 PO 4 solution gave results closest to those using bovine plasma as an electrolyte. All of the samples showed an activation period of 10–15 hr, after which an increase in the corrosion rate was observed. Several possible explanations for this effect are given. For comparison, a sample of Type 316 L stainless steel was tested using isotonic saline solution as the electrolyte. Both the initial and final current densities were considerably higher than those for Ti‐6Al‐4V indicating a corrosion rate considerably higher for the Type 316 L stainless steel.