Corrosion behaviour of Co-Cr-W-Ni alloy in diverse body fluids

Purpose: The aim of the work was evaluation of corrosion resistance of implantable Co-Cr-W-Ni alloy in simulated body fluids: human blood (artificial plasma), urine (artificial urine) and bone tissue (Tyrode solution). Design/methodology/approach: Corrosion resistance tests were carried out in the selected physiological body fluids at the temperature 37 ± 1°C with the use of the VoltaLab PGP 201 system for electrochemical tests. The saturated calomel electrode (SCE) was applied as the reference electrode and the auxiliary electrode was a platinum foil. The evaluation of pitting corrosion was realized by recording of anodic polarization curves with the use of the potentiodynamic method. In order to evaluate crevice corrosion resistance the samples were polarized in the potential equal to 0,8 V by 900 seconds. Roughness of all the samples was evaluated with the use of the SURTRONIC 3+(Taylor/Hobson) surface analyzer. Findings: Results of corrosion resistance tests of the Co-Cr-W-Ni alloy showed the diverse values of parameters obtained in the individual solutions. The suggested surface treatments ensure good crevice corrosion resistance of the Co-Cr-W-Ni alloy in all the tested physiological fluids. Research limitations/implications: The obtained results show the necessity of selection of the appropriate physiological solution, reflecting the specificity of body environment. In order to fully characterize the material in the human body environment, additional research on stress and fatigue corrosion should be carried out. Originality/value: The analysis of the obtained results show favorable influence of the suggested surface treatment of the Co-Cr-W-Ni alloy. Regardless of the selected physiological solution, the most favorable characteristics was observed for the electropolished and passivated samples.