Electrochemical Behavior of Tin Ceramic Films Coated on Ti Alloys Produced by SLM: The Effect of Different Body Fluid Environments

Abstract

In this study, TiN ceramic coating was deposited on Ti6Al4V alloys produced in SLM (Selective Laser Melting) using the PVD (Cathodic Arc Physical Vapor Deposition) method. After the deposition process, the all samples were analyzed for determining the film structure and their electrochemical behavior. All corrosion measurements were conducted in three different electrolyte mediums as simulated body fluid (SBF), simulated saliva fluid (SSF), and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). When the OCP values were evaluated, it was observed that higher potentials were required for the initiation of corrosion in TiN coated samples than in untreated samples. When the behaviors of the coated samples in different environments were compared, it was obtained that the corrosion potential was fixed at the lowest values in the DMEM medium and at the highest values in the saliva medium. The Rp value of the TiN coated sample in the SSF medium was found as 236.85 k Omega cm2 from the potentiodynamic measurements. It was measured that Rp values of about 101.85 and 77.13 k Omega cm2 for TiN coated samples, in SBF and DMEM medium, respectively. EIS measurements were carried out to observe the electrochemical behavior of untreated and TiN coated samples. The best corrosion resistance behavior from EIS measurements was obtained in SSF medium.