Interface Damage in Titanium Dental Implant Due to Tribocorrosion: The Role of Mastication Frequencies

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of fretting motions on the depassivation–repassivation processes occurring in Ti6Al4V alloy, at an in vitro simulated oral environment. Ti6Al4V discs were subjected to fretting–corrosion using a pin-on-disc tribometer. Specimens underwent 2000 motion cycles, with ± 500 µm of fretting stroke, and 8 N of load at frequencies of 1, 2, and 4 Hz. Surface characterization was performed using white-light interferometry and scanning electron microscope. Total mass loss ( K wc ), and mass loss due to wear ( K w ) and corrosion ( K c ) were calculated. Lower potentials were reached at a frequency of 4 Hz. The coefficient of friction was statistically higher ( p > 0.05) under 1 Hz ( μ = 0.66) as compared to that of 2 and 4 Hz ( μ = 0.53; μ = 0.51). K wc was significantly higher ( p