ELECTROCHEMICAL AND SURFACE MODIFICATIONS ON N+-ION IMPLANTED T-6A1-4V IMMERSED IN HBSS

The effect of nitrogen-ion implantation on the electrochemical behaviour of Ti-6Al-4V in a simulated physiological solution (HBSS-Hank's balanced salt solution) was studied by open-circuit potential versus time and cyclic polarization techniques, with the aim of characterizing better the surface prior to biological testing and to choose the most appropriate nitrogen-ion fluence. Three fluences (10(15), 10(16) and 10(17)ions/cm(2)) were used. The 10(16)ions/cm(2) N+ fluence produced the lowest corrosion rate under passive conditions. The highest fluence originated a large increase in the corrosion rate and inhibited the formation of a calcium- and phosphate-rich layer on the electrode surface.