Corrosion resistance of porous NiTi biomedical alloy in simulated body fluids

The corrosion performance of two porous NiTi in physiological and Hank's solutions was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization, cyclic polarization and impedance spectroscopy. Electric models simulating the corrosion mechanism at early stages of immersion were proposed, accounting for both microstructural observations and electrochemical results. Results indicate that both porous samples were susceptible to localized corrosion. The porosity increase (from 7% to 18%) resulted in larger and wider pore openings, thus favoring the corrosion resistance of 18% porous NiTi. Strengthening of corrosion resistance was observed in Hank's solution. The pore morphology and micro-galvanic corrosion phenomena were determining factors affecting the corrosion resistance.