Electrochemical study of resistance to localized corrosion of stainless steels for biomaterial applications

Sandvik Bioline High-N and 316 LVM are two austenitic stainless steels especially developed for biomaterial applications. Their resistance to localized corrosion was investigated by electrochemical methods including cyclic potentiodynamic polarization and potentiostatic polarization measurements in a phosphate-buffered saline solution and in a simulated crevice solution, i.e., designed for crevice corrosion testing. Sandvik SAF 2507 (a high-performance super duplex stainless steel) was included in the tests as a reference material. High-N, higher alloyed than 316 LVM, demonstrated excellent resistance to pitting initiation and a strong tendency to repassivation. High-N proved to have an equivalent or even higher resistance to localized corrosion than SAF 2507. The latter is known for its impressive corrosion properties, particularly in chloride containing environments. While 316 LVM may run the risk of crevice corrosion in implant applications, the risk seems negligible for High-N. In view of the fact that also the mechanical properties are superior to those of 316 LVM, High-N is a very attractive implant material.