Effects of harmonic structure on the electrochemical behavior of biomedical Ti6Al4V

Abstract

Metallic implants with Harmonic Structure has been reported to perform better mechanical properties compared to traditional microstructure on several biomedical alloys. Researchers have shown mechanic improvement when obtaining this microstructure but, there is a literature gap about the electrochemical behavior of these alloys related to harmonic microstructure obtainment. Thus, in this paper, the HS Ti6Al4V was obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering in order to be compared on its electrochemical behavior to commercial α + β Ti6Al4V ELI (Extra Low Interstitial), which is one of the most studied alloys for implants due to its biocompatibility and because of its good relation of the mechanical and electrochemical properties. Optical microscopy was conducted to verify the morphology and microstructure of the alloys, X-ray diffraction analyses to crystalline phase determination. For the electrochemical stability analysis, Open Circuit Potential curves were obtained in chloride media followed by voltammetry profile analysis on simulated blood solution, finally, the electrical parameters of the corrosion process were obtained using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The results indicated that the materials presented a very similar electrochemical behavior with high polarization resistance, with almost no difference in the values of the curves, indicating there is no inference on the electrochemical behavior or corrosion resistance from the Ti6Al4V alloy with the harmonic structure.