A Comparative Study of the Electrochemical Behavior of α and β Phase Ti6Al4V Alloy in Ringer’s Solution

Abstract

Owing to their superior biocompatibility, titanium and its alloys are often the first choice for implant materials in biomedical applications, especially for dental and bone repairs (orthodontics and prosthodontics). Titanium has low density and shows good mechanical and chemical properties. Although Ti-6Al-4V alloy exhibits excellent corrosion resistance properties, the metal ions released during corrosion are likely to induce aseptic loosening in long-term implantations. In the present study, Ti-6Al-4V alloy was subjected to two specific heat treatments, namely, air cooling and water quenching. The potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed remarkable improvement in the corrosion resistance properties of the heat-treated specimens. The presence of the β phase is a plausible reason for the improvement. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction phase composition analysis, and microstructural characterization were performed to confirm the presence of the β phase.