Corrosion resistance of Cr-Ni-Mo steel in simulated body fluids

Purpose: The paper presents the comparison of corrosion resistance of Cr-Ni-Mo stainless steel in various corrosive media simulating human body fluids. Design/methodology/approach: The corrosion tests were realized by recording of anodic polarization curves with the use of the potentiodynamic method. The VoltaLab® PGP 201 system for electrochemical tests was applied. The tests were carried out in electrolyte simulating urine (pH = 6 ÷ 6.4), Tyrode’s physiological solution (pH = 6.8 ÷ 7.4) and plasma (pH = 7.2 ÷ 7.6) at the temperature of 37±1°C. Findings: Surface condition of metallic biomaterial determines its corrosion resistance. The highest values of breakdown potentials are recorded for electropolished and chemically passivated samples tested in artificial urine. The lowest values of anodic current density were recorded for samples tested in Tyrode’s physiological solution. Research limitations/implications: The obtained results are the basis for the optimization of physicochemical properties of the metallic biomaterial. Practical implications: On the basis of the obtained results it can be stated that stainless steel can be applied in reconstruction surgery, operative cardiology and urology. Originality/value: The paper presents the influence of various corrosive media simulating human body fluids on corrosion resistance of Cr-Ni-Mo stainless steel.