Electrochemical studies of the corrosion behaviour of titanium and the Ti-6Al-4V alloy using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the electrochemical behaviour of two materials used in oral implantology. METHODS: The resistance to corrosion of Ti grade 2 and the alloy Ti-6Al-4V was studied in an artificial saliva solution. It has been observed that the passivation of titanium by an oxidised layer can be shown both by cyclic voltametry and by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Moreover, this latter technique, rarely used in odontology, opens up interesting perspectives, enabling a more quantitative approach to the resistance of the passive layer to be adopted. RESULTS: Also, the impedance data recorded for Ti grade 2 and the alloy Ti-6Al-4V, in the artificial saliva solution were shown that Ti grade 2 has a higher resistance to corrosion and a thicker oxide layer than the alloy Ti-6Al-4V. SIGNIFICANCE: The fact that the electrochemical properties of Ti-6Al-4V are lower than that titanium's ones indicate than a release of ions aluminum and or vanadium ions in the body can occur. This is why we recommend to the dental practitioners to preferably use titanium in implantology.