Influence of Various Albumin Concentrations on the Corrosion Resistance of Zr-2.5%Nb Alloy

Abstract

The Zr-2.5% Nb alloy corrosion resistance in four saline solutions with and without albumin was tested through electrochemical measurements of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), linear polarization, and cyclic voltammetry at human body temperature.The EIS measurements were performed at open circuit potential. The impedance spectra were recorded and the equivalent electric circuits were elaborated. From the linear polarization the Tafel slopes were recorded and the corrosion parameters were calculated. From the potentiodynamic polarization curves, the breakdown potential, the protection potential, and the protection domain were observed.The amount of ions released from the material was quantified using the ICPMS technique and the results concerning the corrosion resistance were compared with those obtained from linear and cyclic polarization.Before and after potentiodynamic polarization the topographic measurements were performed; the roughness at the samples surface was observed using AFM. The roughness was co-related to the contact angle measurements.