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Corrosion of Metals for Biomedical Applications

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Corrosion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2023) | Viewed by 10424

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Dr. Hendra Hermawan

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Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Interests: absorbable metals; metallic biomaterials; coating and surface modification; metallurgy and electrochemisty of corrosion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As is known, once placed inside the human body, metal implants are subjected to an aggressive environment that is conducive to corrosion. This electrochemical process can cause ion release and material loss, which affects the biocompatibility and mechanical stability of an implant. This process is often complicated by many factors, such as a foreign body reaction and mechanical forces. Most permanent implants are made from corrosion-resistant alloys, such as titanium alloys, stainless steels, and cobalt alloys, where corrosion must be avoided. Alternatively, some temporary implants may be better served by absorbable metals, such as magnesium and zinc alloys, which will corrode and be absorbed by the body after performing their function. New alloys have been developed for both types of implants, including some high-entropy alloys that can be tailored to become highly corrosion-resistant or be biodegradable. In both cases, the main point is to control the corrosion process, which is strongly linked to the structure of the materials and to its processing methods.

Therefore, this Special Issue is dedicated to bringing together new knowledge to reveal the fundamental aspects of the corrosion of metals for biomedical applications. It covers a wide range of topics, including corrosion-resistant alloys and absorbable metals; conventional and new alloys; corrosion evaluation and testing; corrosion control; coating and surface treatment; effect of structure and process on corrosion; effect of corrosion on biocompatibility and mechanical properties; and biological responses to corrosion both in vitro and in vivo.

It is my pleasure to invite you to contribute a manuscript to this Special Issue. Full research papers, short communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Dr. Hendra Hermawan
Guest Editor

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Keywords

absorbable
alloys
biocompatibility
biological response
biomaterials
cobalt alloys
coating
corrosion
degradation
electrochemistry
high entropy alloys
magnesium alloys
metals and alloys
mechanical properties
stainless steel
titanium alloys
wear and tribology
zinc alloys

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 4082 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Microstructural Evolution and Corrosion Behavior of Zn-Mg Alloys and Hybrids Processed Using High-Pressure Torsion

by Ayoub Tanji, Hendra Hermawan and Carl J. Boehlert

Materials 2024, 17(1), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17010270 - 4 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1045

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) alloys, particularly those incorporating magnesium (Mg), have been explored as potential bioabsorbable metals. However, there is a continued need to enhance the corrosion characteristics of Zn-Mg alloys to fulfill the requirements for biodegradable implants. This work involves a corrosion behavior comparison between severe-plastic-deformation (SPD) processed cast Zn-Mg alloys and their hybrid counterparts, having equivalent nominal compositions. The SPD processing technique used was high-pressure torsion (HPT), and the corrosion behavior was studied as a function of the number of turns (1, 5, 15) for the Zn-3Mg (wt.%) alloy and hybrid and as a function of composition (Mg contents of 3, 10, 30 wt.%) for the hybrid after 15 turns. The results indicated that HPT led to multimodal grain size distributions of ultrafine Mg-rich grains containing MgZn₂ and Mg₂Zn₁₁ nanoscale intermetallics in a matrix of coarser dislocation-free Zn-rich grains. A greater number of turns resulted in greater corrosion resistance because of the formation of the intermetallic phases. The HPT hybrid was more corrosion resistant than its alloy counterpart because it tended to form the intermetallics more readily than the alloy due to the inhomogeneous conditions of the materials before the HPT processing as well as the non-equilibrium conditions imposed during the HPT processing. The HPT hybrids with greater Mg contents were less corrosion resistant because the addition of Mg led to less noble behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corrosion of Metals for Biomedical Applications)

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22 pages, 11678 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cytotoxicity of Metal Ions Released from NiTi and Stainless Steel Orthodontic Appliances, Part 1: Surface Morphology and Ion Release Variations

by Mirna Petković Didović, Ivana Jelovica Badovinac, Željka Fiket, Jure Žigon, Marijana Rinčić Mlinarić and Gordana Čanadi Jurešić

Materials 2023, 16(11), 4156; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16114156 - 2 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1525

Abstract

Despite numerous studies on ion release from orthodontic appliances, no clear conclusions can be drawn due to complex interrelations of multiple factors. Therefore, as the first part of a comprehensive investigation of cytotoxicity of eluted ions, the objective of this study was to analyze four parts of a fixed orthodontic appliance. Specifically, NiTi archwires and stainless steel (SS) brackets, bands, and ligatures were immersed in artificial saliva and studied for morphological and chemical changes after 3-, 7-, and 14-day immersion, using the SEM/EDX technique. Ion release profiles were analyzed for all eluted ions using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results demonstrated dissimilar surface morphologies among parts of the fixed appliance, due to variations in manufacturing processes. The onset of pitting corrosion was observed for the SS brackets and bands in the as-received state. Protective oxide layers were not observed on any of the parts, but adherent layers developed on SS brackets and ligatures during immersion. Salt precipitation, mainly KCl, was also observed. ICP-MS proved to be more sensitive than SEM/EDX and exhibited results undetected by SEM/EDX. Ion release was an order-of-magnitude higher for SS bands compared to other parts, which was attributed to manufacturing procedure (welding). Ion release did not correlate with surface roughness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corrosion of Metals for Biomedical Applications)

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12 pages, 7768 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Surface Analysis of Ti-Alloy Micro-Grooved 12/14 Tapers Assembled to Non-Sleeved and Sleeved Ceramic Heads: A Comparative Study of Retrieved Hip Prostheses

by Andrea Martelli, Paolo Erani, Nicola Pazzagli, Valeria Cannillo and Massimiliano Baleani

Materials 2023, 16(3), 1067; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16031067 - 25 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1173

Abstract

Ti6Al4V titanium alloy (Ti-alloy) sleeved ceramic heads have become widely used in revision surgery when the hip stem is left in situ. This solution guarantees a new junction between the bore of the ceramic head and the Ti-alloy sleeve, regardless of any possible, slight surface damage to the Ti-alloy taper of the stem. However, this solution introduces an additional Ti-alloy/Ti-alloy interface pairing, which is potentially susceptible to mechanically assisted crevice corrosion. This study evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively the damage that occurred in vivo on Ti-alloy micro-grooved 12/14 tapers of (i) primary implants with non-sleeved ceramic heads (Group 1), (ii) secondary implants with non-sleeved ceramic heads (Group 2), and (iii) secondary implants with sleeved ceramic heads (Group 3). A total of 45 explants—15 for each group, including short-, medium- and long-neck heads—underwent optical evaluation for surface damage (Goldberg scoring), surface roughness analysis, and SEM/EDX analysis. The Goldberg scores did not reveal different patterns in the tapers’ surface damage; surface damage was classified as absent or mild (surface damage score ≤2) in 94%, another 94%, and 92% of the analysed regions for Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3, respectively. Small but significant differences in morphological changes occurred in the tapers of the three groups: reductions no greater than a few percentage points in median values of roughness parameters were found in Group 1 and Group 2, while negligible changes were found in Group 3. SEM/EDX analysis revealed little (i.e., a slight increase in the oxygen content) to undetectable changes in the chemical composition on the Ti-alloy surface independently of the group. These results suggest that the Ti-alloy/Ti-alloy sleeve/taper junction is only mildly susceptible to mechanically assisted crevice corrosion. Assembling a sleeved ceramic head, with variable neck lengths up to a “long-neck”, to a Ti-alloy micro-grooved 12/14 taper of a stem left in situ does not seem to increase the risk of revision due to trunnionosis, as long as junction stability (i.e., the proper seating of the sleeved ceramic head on the 12/14 taper) is achieved intraoperatively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corrosion of Metals for Biomedical Applications)

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11 pages, 4319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Tantalum Addition on the Corrosion Passivation of Titanium-Zirconium Alloy in Simulated Body Fluid

by El-Sayed M. Sherif, Yassir A. Bahri, Hamad F. Alharbi, Muhammad Farzik Ijaz and Ibrahim A. Alnaser

Materials 2022, 15(24), 8812; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15248812 - 9 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1324

Abstract

Ti-15%Zr alloy and Ti-15%Zr-2%Ta alloy were fabricated to be used in biomedical applications. The corrosion of these two alloys after being immersed in simulated body fluid for 1 h and 72 h was investigated. Different electrochemical methods, including polarization, impedance, and chronoamperometric current with time at 400 mV were employed. Also, the surface morphology and the compositions of its formed film were reported by the use of scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray. Based on the collected results, the presence of 2%Ta in the Ti-Zr alloy passivated its corrosion by minimizing its corrosion rate. The polarization curves revealed that adding Ta within the alloy increases the corrosion resistance as was confirmed by the impedance spectroscopy and current time data. The change of current versus time proved that the addition of Ta reduces the absolute current even at high anodic potential, 400 mV. The results of both electrochemical and spectroscopic methods indicated that pitting corrosion does not occur for both Ti-Zr and Ti-Zr-Ta alloys, even after their immersion in SBF solutions for 72 h. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corrosion of Metals for Biomedical Applications)

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18 pages, 16066 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nanotopography Evaluation of NiTi Alloy Exposed to Artificial Saliva and Different Mouthwashes

by Zoran Bobić, Sanja Kojić, Goran M. Stojanović, Vladimir Terek, Lazar Kovačević and Pal Terek

Materials 2022, 15(23), 8705; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15238705 - 6 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1576

Abstract

Nitinol (NiTi) alloy is a widely used material for the production of orthodontic archwires. Its corrosion behavior in conditions that exist in the oral cavity still remains a great characterization challenge. The motivation behind this work is to reveal the influence of commercially available mouthwashes on NiTi orthodontic archwires by performing non-electrochemical corrosion tests and quantifying the changes in the nanotopography of commercially available NiTi orthodontic wires. In this study, we examined the behavior of NiTi alloy archwires exposed for 21.5 days to different corrosive media: artificial saliva, Eludril^®, Aquafresh^®, and Listerine^®. The corrosion was characterized by contact mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) before and after the corrosion tests. A novel analysis methodology was developed to obtain insight into locations of material gain or material loss based on standard surface roughness parameters Sa, Sdr, Ssk, and S10z. The developed methodology revealed that fluoride-containing mouthwashes (Aquafresh^® and Listerine^®) dominantly cause material loss, while chloride-containing mouthwash (Eludril^®) can cause both material loss and material gain. The sample exposed to artificial saliva did not display significant changes in any parameter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corrosion of Metals for Biomedical Applications)

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26 pages, 8974 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Microstructural Modification of TiAl6V4 Alloy to Avoid Detrimental Effects Due to Selective In Vivo Crevice Corrosion

by Maria Herbster, Karsten Harnisch, Paulina Kriegel, Andreas Heyn, Manja Krüger, Christoph H. Lohmann, Jessica Bertrand and Thorsten Halle

Materials 2022, 15(16), 5733; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15165733 - 19 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1311

Abstract

TiAl6V4 wrought alloy is a standard material used for endoprostheses due to its ideal characteristics in terms of osseointegration. However, the insufficient wear and crevice corrosion resistance of TiAl6V4 are limiting factors that can cause clinical problems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze and identify suitable phases and microstructural states of TiAl6V4 alloy with advantageous implant properties by thermal treatments. By varying the temperature and cooling rate, four heat treatment strategies were derived that produced different microstructural states that differed in morphology, arrangement and proportions of phases present. All TiAl6V4 modifications were characterized regarding their microstructure, mechanical, corrosive and tribological properties, as well as cell adhesion. The acicular, martensitic microstructure achieves a significant hardness increase by up to 63% and exhibits improved corrosion and wear resistance compared to the forged condition. Whereas the modified microstructures showed similar electrochemical properties in polarization tests using different electrolytes (PBS with H₂O₂ and HCl additives), selective α or β phase dissolution occurred under severe inflammatory crevice conditions after four weeks of exposure at 37 °C. The microstructurally selective corrosion processes resemble the damage patterns of retrieved Ti-based implants and provide a better understanding of clinically relevant in vivo crevice corrosion mechanisms. Furthermore, a microstructural effect on cell attachment was determined and is correlated to the size of the vanadium-rich β phase. These key findings highlight the relevance of an adapted processing of TiAl6V4 alloy to increase the longevity of implants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corrosion of Metals for Biomedical Applications)

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15 pages, 88875 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Compositional Tailoring of Mg–2Zn–1Ca Alloy Using Manganese to Enhance Compression Response and In-Vitro Degradation

by Somasundaram Prasadh, Gururaj Parande, Manoj Gupta and Raymond Wong

Materials 2022, 15(3), 810; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15030810 - 21 Jan 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1480

Abstract

The present study investigates Mg–2Zn–1Ca/XMn alloys as biodegradable implants for orthopedic fracture fixation applications. The effect of the presence and progressive addition of manganese (X = 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 wt.%) on the degradation, and post-corrosion compressive response were investigated. Results suggest that the addition of manganese at 0.5 wt.% improved the corrosion resistance of Mg–2Zn–1Ca alloys. The pH values stabilized for the 0.5Mn-containing alloy and displayed a lower corrosion rate when compared to other Mg–2Zn–1Ca/Mn alloys. Mg–2Zn–1Ca showed a progressive reduction in the compressive strength properties at the end of day 21 whereas Mg–2Zn–1Ca/0.3Mn and Mg–2Zn–1Ca/0.5Mn samples showed a decrease until day 14 and stabilized around the same strength range after day 21. The ability of Mg–2Zn–1Ca/0.5Mn alloy to develop a network of protective hydroxide and phosphate layers has resulted in the corrosion control of the alloy. Mg–2Zn–1Ca/0.7Mn displays segregation of Mn particles at the grain boundaries resulting in decreased corrosion protection. The mechanism behind the corrosion protection of Mg–2Zn–1Ca alloys was discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corrosion of Metals for Biomedical Applications)

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