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A new Ti-20Zr-5Ta-2Ag alloy was elaborated and characterized regarding its microstructure, its native passive film composition and thickness, its surface wettability, its electrochemical behavior in Ringer solution of different pH values, and its ion release. The new alloy has a bi-phase, α + β, acicular, homogeneous microstructure (scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). Its native passive film (12-nm thicknesses) consists of the protective TiO2, ZrO2, and Ta2O5 oxides, Ti and Ta suboxides, and metallic Ag (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data). The alloy possesses high hydrophilic properties. The main electrochemical parameters of the new alloy are superior to those of Ti as a result of the beneficial influence of Zr, Ta, and Ag alloying elements, which reinforce its native passive film. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) spectra in Ringer solutions for the new alloy displayed better values of impedances and phase angles, proving a more insulate passive film than that on the Ti surface. The main corrosion parameters for the new Ti-20Zr-5Ta-2Ag alloy are more favorable by about 25 to 38 times than those of Ti, confirming extremely resistant passive film. The new Ti-20Zr-5Ta-2Ag alloy releases into Ringer solution low quantities of Ti4+, Zr4+ metallic ions (inductively coupled plasma–mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS)). The Ag+ ions are released in low quantity, conferring to this alloy’s low antibacterial activity. All experimental results show that the new Ti-20Zr-5Ta-2Ag alloy fulfills the requirements for biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and antibacterial protection.

We applied a new nitrogen-implantation technique (trademark Hardion+) using a source of nitrogen ions, electron cyclotron resonance that assures higher energy and deeper implantation than the conventional techniques. The N-implantation surface of the new Ti-25Ta-25Nb alloy was analyzed as follows: for the phase identification by x-ray diffraction (XRD) in a glancing geometry (1°); for the hardness by the nano-indentation method; for the corrosion behaviour in Ringer solutions of different pH values (simulating the real conditions from the human body) by cyclic and linear polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the monitoring of the open circuit potentials and corresponding potential gradients. XRD pattern was indexed with face-centred cubic TiN compound partially substituted with TaN and NbN. The hardness increased about 2 times for the N-implantation alloy. The implantation layer had a protection effect, increasing the corrosion and passivation potentials and decreasing the tendency to passivation and passive current density, due to its compactness, reinforcement action. The corrosion current density and rate decreased by about 10 times and the polarization resistance increased by about 2 times, indicative of a more resistant nitride layer. The porosity was much reduced and the protection efficiency had values closed to 90%, namely the implantation treatment led to the formation of a dense, resistant layer. Impedance spectra showed that the capacitive behaviour of the N-implantation alloy was more insulating and protective. An electric equivalent circuit with two times constants was modelled.

This paper describes the synthesis of a novel Ti-15Ta-5Zr alloy with an α + s stable, homogeneous, biphasic microstructure (by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy) and the determination of its mechanical properties, hardness and a Young’s modulus of 42.2 GPa. The alloy passive film composition and thickness were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; a thick, compact native passive film containing the protective oxides of all constituent elements (TiO2, Ta2O5, ZrO2) was identified. The electrochemical parameters confirmed a nobler behaviour and a more capacitive, resistant passive film on the alloy surface compared to Ti and other existing implant alloys; these facts are due to the alloying elements that, by their oxides stabilize and reinforce the alloy passive film. This passive film thickened in time, which increased its protective capacity. The new alloy had no susceptibility to galvanic or local corrosion. Ti-15Ta-5Zr alloy is recommended as an advanced orthopaedic implant material.

For an alloy to be suitable for use as an implant material, it must have a low specific weight and Young’s modulus, good mechanical properties that are similar to those of bone, and very good corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. In this study, we have developed a novel Ti-20Nb-10Zr-5Ta alloy that is composed of nontoxic, nonallergenic, corrosion-resistant elements. This alloy has low specific weight and Young’s modulus and good mechanical properties. It has a fine microstructure with a matrix that is mainly composed of the β phase and some α phase due to recrystallization during cooling. It shows elastoplastic behavior with a fairly linear elastic behavior and low Young’s modulus (59 GPa). In addition, its ultimate tensile strength, 0.2% yield strength, and hardness are higher than those of CP Ti, commercial Ti-6Al-4V, and similar β-type alloys. It exhibited a very stable passive state and its electrochemical parameters and corrosion and ion release rates were better than those of CP Ti in Ringer’s solutions of different pH values that simulate the severe functional conditions of an implant; this is attributable to the beneficial influence of the alloying elements and to the better protective properties of the coated passive film.

Correlation between the susceptibility to breakdown and surface properties of thin films on implant titanium alloys Ti-5Al-4V and Ti-6Al-4Fe in Ringer 1 and Ringer 2 solutions of different pH values (6.98, 4.35, 2.5) which simulate the conditions that can appear at the longterm (13,000 hours) contact between implant and tissues were studied in this paper. The passive films are very stable up to +1.8 V; Ti-6Al-4Fe alloy presents pitting attack at a pitting initiation potential of +3.5 V in Ringer 1 solution and at +3.9 V in Ringer 2 solution. The pitting protection potential is about +1.75 V in both solutions; this is a very noble potential. Impedance spectra were modeled with one time constant equivalent electrical circuit, typically for a compact oxide film, for all materials, in all tested solutions. The fitting parameters indicate a long-term stability.

The paper presents the experimental results concerning the performance assessment of electrodeposited epoxy films using electrochemical techniques (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy–EIS and anodic polarization) assisted by microscopical studies. The films were formed during the cathodic and anodic electrodeposition of a modified epoxy resin on carbon steel substrate. The specimens were tested in a normal aerated 3% NaCl solution at room temperature for a total period up to 1500 hours. Analysis of the impedance spectra has established an equivalent electric circuit with two time constants fitted to describe the electrodeposited epoxy film/carbon steel/electrolyte system. The time monitoring of the principal elements from the equivalent electric circuit were used to determine protective properties of the electrodeposited epoxy films. Results show a high performance of electrodeposited epoxy films, characterized by uniformity, insignificant porosity, very low water and ions permeability.

The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been used for the modelling of the alkyd organic film/carbon steel interface in 3% NaCl solution. Both the dielectric properties of the organic film and the corrosion processes of the metallic substrate were investigated with this method. Analysis of the impedance spectra (Nyquist and Bode plots) and the interpretation with the fitting software developed by Boukamp, established the presence of two time constants in the first 250 immersion hours. One time constant concerning the organic layer describes the electrical and barrier properties of film. The second time constant concerning the substrate represents the corrosion reactions at the film/metal interface. For long immersion periods, after the formation of the conductive pathways in the film and the development of the diffusion processes, are necessary another two time constants concerning these phenomenons. The error magnitude between the measured and calculated data with these electric equivalent circuits is satisfactory. The physical properties obtained from the principal elements of the equivalent electric circuits are in concordance with those obtained from others testing methods.