Electrochemical characterization of UNS S31254 austenitic stainless steel in 0.11 mol L-1 NaCl medium in order to propose its application in orthopaedic implants

Author(s)

Monica Luisa Chaves de Andrade Afonso

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2006-09-27

Examining board members

Silvia Maria Leite Agostinho; Hercílio Gomes de Melo; Artur de Jesus Motheo; Sonia Regina Biaggio Rocha; Silvia Helena Pires Serrano

• Advisor: Silvia Maria Leite Agostinho

Abstract

The electrochemical characterization of UNS S31254 has been made in 0.11 mol L-1 NaCl medium in the absence and presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in order to propose its application in orthopaedic implants. The techniques employed were: open circuit potential measurements, polarization curves, chronoamperometry, EIS, XPS, SEM, EDS and EEO. The electrochemical behavior of 254 SS was compared to that observed for ISO 5832-9, ASTM F138 and AISI 316L stainless steels, used in orthopedic implants, in the absence and presence of BSA. 254 SS is similar to ISO 5832-9 SS: it is passivated on the potential range between the corrosion and the transpassivation potentials; the presence of calcium and aluminum oxides can be responsible for the shift of about 100 mV to less positive potentials on the transpassivation potential when compared to ISO 5832-9 SS. The presence of Mo(VI) was detected beside Cr(III) as passivating film for 254 SS. BSA action depends on its concentration, the nature of the metallic substract and on the potential in the metal-solution interphase. BSA changes the oxidation mechanism of 254 SS and promotes the selective dissolution of the elements particularly nickel and chromium. (AU)