Investigation of the electrochemical corrosion properties of high-energy milled Ti6Al4V alloy in simulated body fluid environment

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this study, the electrochemical corrosion properties of high-energy milled Ti6Al4V alloy are investigated. The Ti6Al4V alloy is produced by high-energy milling at different milling times in mechanical milling device as 15–120 min. Produced alloy powders are cold-pressed under 620 MPa pressure and sintered at 1300°C temperature and characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, hardness and density measurements. Corrosion tests are conducted in simulated body fluid at 37°C body temperature. Results showed that the average particle size of the powder is reduced, and the hardness of the alloy is increased with the increasing milling time. It is determined that the corrosion properties of the alloys change by the high-energy milling time, and the corrosion rate increases by the decreasing particle size of the powder. SEM examination of the corroded surfaces after potentiodynamic polarisation tests revealed that pitting formation tendency of the alloys on the alloy surface increases by the increasing high-energy milling time.