Electrochemical behavior of Ni-Ti alloy after surface modification

The shape memory effect and superelasticity make the nickel-titanium alloy an interesting material for medical applications. However, its biocompatibility has been questioned due to conflicting results in the literature. Recent research indicates that this variability may be attributed to differences in the surface treatment of NiTi. This study aimed to present the electrochemical behavior of NiTi alloy after undergoing various surface modification techniques to enhance corrosion resistance. The methodology involved evaluating the electrochemical behavior through anodic polarization curves obtained via the potentiodynamic method, in conjunction with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Findings revealed that the surface condition of the metallic biomaterial significantly influences its corrosion resistance. Notably, the sterilized and thermally passivated samples exhibited the lowest corrosion current values, while the ground samples showed the highest corrosion current and rate. The results underscore the importance of optimizing surface treatments for metallic biomaterials, providing a basis for future research focused on specific implants and their application features. Consequently, the proposed surface modification methods are valuable for improving the corrosion resistance of medical implants.