Monitoring of titanium base alloys–biofluids interface

Monitoring of the titanium, Ti–5Al–4V, Ti–6Al–4Fe implant materials — Ringer 1 and Ringer 2 solutions (of different pH values) interface for long term was studied in this work. In Ringer 1 solution (with high chloride ion content) all biomaterials present self-passivation. On Ti–6Al–4Fe alloy, the breakdown of the passive film was registered but at high pitting potential; pitting protection potential is very noble and can not be reached in human fluids. In Ringer 2 solution was obtained more electropositive corrosion potential values than in Ringer 1 solution; pitting corrosion of Ti–6Al–4Fe alloy is characterised by nobler breakdown and pitting protection potential values, therefore a better pitting corrosion resistance and tendency. Ion release increases in time, for the first 400–600 immersion hours and then tend to a constant level with very low values, non-dangerous for human body. All open circuit potentials oscillate around some electropositive values. The potential gradients calculated for extreme pH values have low values during 20 000 exposure hours and can not accelerate the corrosion. Atomic Force Microscopy images obtained after different exposure periods in Ringer 1 solution revealed that the roughness increased in time, suggesting a dynamic process at biomaterial–biofluid interface. X-ray Photoelectron spectra obtained after 2880 immersion hours in Ringer 2 solution show the existence of protective titanium dioxide TiO2 and TiO and Ti2O3 oxides both for titanium and Ti–5Al–4V alloy. Also, Al2O3 oxide was detected.