Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The influence of surface condition on the localized corrosion of 316L stainless steel orthopaedic implants

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The localized corrosion of austenitic stainless steel 316L intended for use as orthopaedic implants is determined as a function of the surface condition and metallurgical state. From the examination of samples exposed to a ferric chloride solution, at both 22 and 37 °C, the independent contribution of crevice and pitting corrosion to localized corrosion is determined. Both forms of localized corrosion occur to a greater extent at the higher temperature. The results indicate that weight loss measurements may not be sufficient to determine the extent of crevice corrosion separately from the influence of pitting corrosion. More importantly, the surface conditions required for the best resistance to crevice or pitting corrosion differ. Electropolished surfaces provide the best resistance to crevice corrosion, while “bead blasted” surfaces provide the best resistance to pitting corrosion. The implication of this result in terms of the serviceability as orthopaedic implants is discussed. The current results indicate the cold-worked state exhibits improved resistance to pitting corrosion. However, the influence of the metallurgical state could not be separated from a possible compositional effect. © 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A. C. Fraker, in “ASM Metals Handbook”, 9th edition, Vol. 13 “Corrosion” edited by J. R. Davis (ASM International, Materials Park, Ohio, 1987) p. 1324.

    Google Scholar 

  2. E. J. Sutow and S. R. Pollack, in “Biocompatibility of clinical implant materials”, Vol. 1, edited by D. F. Williams, (CRC Press, Inc. Boca Raton, FL, 1981) p.45.

    Google Scholar 

  3. K. J. Bundy, Crit. Rev. Biomed. Engng 23 (1994) 139.

    Google Scholar 

  4. M. Sivakumar, K. Suresh Kumar Dhanadurai, R. Rajeswari and R. Rhulasirman, J. Mater. Sci. Lett. 14 (1995) 351.

    Google Scholar 

  5. E. Leitao, R. A. Silva and M. A. Barbosa J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Med. 8 (1997) 365.

    Google Scholar 

  6. M. L. Pereira, A. M. Abreu, J. P. Sousa and G. S. Carvalho ibid. 6 (1995) 523.

    Google Scholar 

  7. A. J. Sedriks, in “Corrosion of stainless steels”, Corrosion Monograph Series (John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 1996).

    Google Scholar 

  8. G. E. Eklund J. Electrochem. Soc. 123 (1976) 170.

    Google Scholar 

  9. “Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Bar and Wire for Surgical Implants (Special Quality)”, ASTM Standard F138–86.

  10. J. W. Oldfield, T. S. Lee and R. M. Kain, in “Stainless Steels ‘84” (The Institute for Metals, 1985) 205.

  11. R. M. Kain, in “Corrosion'91”, 11–15 March 1991, paper 508.

  12. A. Cigada, B. Mazza, G. A. Mondora, P. Pedeferri, G. Re and D. Sinigalia, in “Corrosion and degradation of implant materials”, edited by B. C. Syrett and A. Acharya (ASTM STP 684, 1979) p. 144.

  13. “Standard Test methods for Pitting and Crevice Corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steels and Related Alloys by Use of Ferric Chloride Solution”, ASTM Standard G48–92.

  14. P. E. Manning, D. J. Duquette and W. F. Savage, Corrosion 35 (1979) 151.

    Google Scholar 

  15. G. Hultquist and C. Leygraf ibid. 36 (1980) 126.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Sivakumar, U. Kamachi Mudali and S. Rajeswari, J. Mater. Engng Perf. 3 (1994) 744.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, 1125, Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, K1S 5B6, Canada

    J. Beddoes

  2. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, K1S 5B6, Canada

    K. Bucci

Authors
  1. J. Beddoes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. Bucci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Beddoes, J., Bucci, K. The influence of surface condition on the localized corrosion of 316L stainless steel orthopaedic implants. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine 10, 389–394 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008918929036

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008918929036

Keywords

Search

Navigation