Abstract
The impact of sterilization on the corrosion behavior of orthopedic implants produced via Laser Powder Bed Fusion is analyzed in a biologically relevant environment. In a controlled environment at 37 °C, experiments were conducted to mimic a natural biological state. In a controlled oven at 50 °C for 20 min, AISI 316L stainless steel samples were prepped before primary testing. The experiment showed that sterilization leads to the development of a more efficient passive layer, resulting in improved corrosion resistance. The improvement in corrosion potential, pitting potential, and corrosion rate was substantial. A decrease in corrosion resistance is observed when TiN (Titanium Nitride) is applied. The findings suggest that sterilization can enhance the corrosion performance of 316L L-PBF implants, although this improvement may not apply equally to all coated components, such as those with TiN coatings.