Development of Silica Glass Coatings on 316L SS and Evaluation of its Corrosion Resistance Behavior in Ringer’s Solution

Abstract

Sol-gel derived silica glasses have many promising features, including low-temperature preparation as well as chemical and physical stability. Two silica glasses with Si100 and Si80 composition were prepared to understand the factors contributing to the rate of bioactivity. The effects of pH, solution aging temperature, and molar ratio of H2O/tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) were studied, and the obtained powder sample was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction studies, and scanning electron microscopy. The synthesized silica glasses were deposited on 316L SS by the spin coating method at the optimized speed of 2000 revolutions per minute. The corrosion resistance behavior of the coatings was determined by (1) open-circuit potential vs time of exposure, (2) electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and (3) cyclic polarization in Ringer’s solution. A higher breakdown potential (E b) and repassivation potential (E p) value with lower current density was obtained from cyclic polarization. Similar results were observed from impedance analysis with higher charge transfer resistance (R ct) and lower double layer capacitance (C dl) indicating the corrosion resistance behavior of the coatings compared with the uncoated 316L stainless steel. From the results, it was observed that both Si100 and Si80 glass coatings had a positive effect on the corrosion resistance behavior. An adhesive strength of 46 MPa and 45 MPa was obtained for the Si100 and Si80 coatings, respectively. An accelerated leach out study was carried out by impressing the potential at their breakdown potential to determine the effect of glass coating for long-term contact between the implant and a normal biological medium.