Enhanced corrosion performance of low‐cost titanium alloys in a simulated diabetic environment

• Published in: Materials and corrosion Vol. 74; no. 10; pp. 1486 - 1498
• Main Authors: Rundora, Nicola R., Van der Merwe, Josias W., Klenam, Desmond E. P., Bodunrin, Michael O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.10.2023
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; Body fluids; Corrosion potential; Corrosion rate; Corrosion resistance; Glucose; Open circuit voltage; Saline solutions; Sodium chloride; Surgical implants; Titanium base alloys
• ISSN: 0947-5117; 1521-4176
• DOI: 10.1002/maco.202313927

Due to their excellent biocompatibility, titanium alloys are the preferred materials for manufacturing bioimplants. Low‐cost titanium alloys have been developed as cheaper and less toxic alternatives for Ti–6Al–4V in the biomedical industry, but their suitability for diabetes patients is yet to be evaluated. With the growing number of diabetes patients globally, this research investigated the corrosion performance of low‐cost Ti–3Fe, Ti–4.5Al–1V–3Fe, and Ti–6Al–1V–3Fe alloys in 0.9 wt.% sodium chloride solution and glucose‐containing Hanks balanced salt solution (HBSS) compared with Ti–6Al–4V. Glucose was added to simulate the body fluids of patients with prediabetic and diabetic conditions. Open circuit potential and potentiodynamic polarization tests were performed. The results reveal that Ti–4.5Al–1V–3Fe and Ti–6Al–1V–3Fe alloys show superior corrosion resistance compared with the other alloys in the glucose‐containing solutions, as they had the lowest corrosion rate and higher corrosion potential. Consequently, these alloys hold promise as effective implants, particularly for people living with diabetes.