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The influence of potential on electrochemical behavior of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy under simulated physiological conditions was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The experimental results were compared with those obtained by potentiodynamic polarization curves. All measurements were carried out in Hank's aerated solution at 25 degrees C, at pH 7.8 and at different potentials (corrosion potential, 0 mV(SCE), 1000 mV(SCE), and 2000 mV(SCE)). The EIS spectra exhibited a two-step or a two-time constant system, suggesting the formation of a two-layer oxide film on the metal surface. The high corrosion resistance, displayed by this alloy in electrochemical polarization tests, is due to the dense inner layer, while its osseointegration ability can be ascribed to the presence of the outer porous layer.

This work reported a detailed analysis of the electrochemical impedance spectra obtained for the Mg electrode during immersion in a sodium sulfate solution. A model was proposed which took into account the presence of: (i) a thin oxide film (MgO) which progressively covered the Mg electrode surface, (ii) film-free areas where the Mg dissolution occurs in two consecutive steps, (iii) a thick layer of corrosion products (Mg(OH) 2), (iv) an adsorbed intermediate ðMg þ ads Þ which is responsible for the chemical reaction allowing the negative difference effect to be explained. From the impedance data analysis, various parameters were extracted such as the thin oxide film thickness, the resistivity at the metal/oxide film interface and at the oxide film/electrolyte interface, the active surface area as a function of the exposure time to the electrolyte, the thickness of the thick Mg(OH) 2 layer and the kinetic constants of the electrochemical reaction.

In this investigation the electrochemical behaviour of the Ti13Nb-13Zr, Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-7Nb alloys, for application as implant materials was evaluated in Hanks' solution by electrochemical techniques. The alloys were immersed in this solution for 410 days and periodically they were tested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. At the end of this period, polarization curves of the three titanium alloys were obtained. The electrochemical impedance experimental results were interpreted using an equivalent electrical circuit that simulates a duplex structure oxide composed of an inner compact layer, here called barrier layer, and an outer and porous layer. The results indicated that all the alloys present a very high corrosion resistance in the electrolyte used, typical of passive alloys, and that the corrosion resistance is mainly due to the barrier layer. The passive like behaviour was maintained during the whole period of test.

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The electrochemical behaviour of a near-b Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy for the application as implants was investigated in various solutions. The electrolytes used were 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, Hanks' solution and a culture medium known as minimum essential medium (MEM) composed of salts, vitamins and amino acids, all at 37 8C. The electrochemical behaviour was investigated by the following electrochemical techniques: open circuit potential measurements as a function of time, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and determination of polarisation curves. The obtained results showed that the Ti alloy was passive in all electrolytes. The EIS results were analysed using an equivalent electrical circuit representing a duplex structure oxide layer, composed of an inner barrier layer, mainly responsible for the alloy corrosion resistance, and an outer and porous layer that has been associated to osteointegration ability. The properties of both layers were dependent on the electrolyte used. The results suggested that the thickest porous layer is formed in the MEM solution whereas the impedance of the barrier layer formed in this solution was the lowest among the electrolytes used. The polarisation curves showed a current increase at potentials around 1300 mV versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE), and this increase was also dependent on the electrolyte used. The highest increase in current density was also associated to the MEM solution suggesting that this is the most aggressive electrolyte to the Ti alloy among the three tested solutions.

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