Stability of protective oxide films formed on a porous titanium

Porous titanium has mechanical advantages over its solid counterpart, especially for use in surgical implants, however, its corrosion resistance is not as good. The relative stability of various oxide films on both porous and solid titanium was thus investigates. The point of initial failure of the oxide films on porous titanium was found to be within the depths of the pores. It is also postulated that galvanic coupling to the outer surface, via a mechanism akin to crevice corrosion, may promote the rapid dissolution in the pores. Preliminary, results suggest that thermal oxides offer better corrosion protection to porous titanium than anodic oxides. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.