Inter-laboratory study on electrochemical methods for the characterisation of CoCrMo biomedical alloys in simulated body fluids (EFC 61) PDF

Introduction and rationale

All metals and alloys are subjected to corrosion when in contact with body fluid as the body environment is very aggressive owing to the presence of chloride ions and oxygen. A variety of chemical reactions occur on the surface of a surgically implanted alloy. The metallic components of the alloy are oxidised to their ionic forms and dissolved oxygen is reduced to hydroxide ions. The rate of attack by general corrosion is very low due to the presence of passive surface films on most of the metallic implants that are currently used. Nevertheless, corrosion of implants has clinical consequences and there is a need to gain a better understanding and control of this phenomenon. Robust corrosion investigation protocols are needed. The goal of this inter-laboratory comparison is to evaluate the robustness of electrochemical practices commonly used for the study of biomaterials corrosion.

Edited by: A. Igual Munoz, S. Mischler