Use of Charge Curve Analysis Technique for In Vivo Determination of Corrosion Rates Available to Purchase

Type 316L stainless steel, commercially pure Ti (75A, TCA), and Ti-0.2Pd bone plates were attached to the femurs of adult New Zealand white rabbits using nylon screws. Corrosion rate-time determinations were conducted using linear polarization (LP) and charge curve analysis (CCA) techniques during 2160 hours following surgery. Of the materials tested, Ti-0.2Pd seems to be the most corrosion resistant and Type 316L stainless steel the least. At the end of the test period (90 days), corrosion rates (in mpy) were in the order of 0.02 for 316L SS, 0.005 for Ti and 0.001 for Ti-0.2Pd. Very good correlation was obtained between determinations made with LP and MCCA. Histopathologic examination of the bone plates and surrounding tissues were conducted. All plates were surrounded by a fibrous tissue capsule. Adverse tissue reaction was minimal.