Corrosion behavior of a new titanium alloy for dental implant applications in fluoride media

The effect of fluoride ion concentration and pH value on the corrosion behavior of Ti-30Cu-10Ag (wt.%) alloy, which is a new titanium alloy characterized by its low melting point, was examined by electrochemical methods in artificial saliva solutions. The corrosion behavior of pure Ti and Ti-6Al-4V were also examined for comparison. Fluoride ions affect the corrosion behavior of Ti and its alloys and the severity of the attack depends on both the concentration of fluoride ion and the pH value. High corrosion rates were observed in neutral solutions with high fluoride concentrations and in acidic solutions with low fluoride concentrations. Increased fluoride concentration leads to increased thickness and/or porosity of the oxide layer, which reduces its corrosion protection. The presence of Cu and Ag in the Ti-30Cu-10Ag alloy has a beneficial effect on its corrosion behavior, especially in acidic fluoride media. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.