Effects of bovine serum albumin on the corrosion behaviour of AISI 316L, Co–28Cr–6Mo, and Ti–6Al–4V alloys in phosphate buffered saline solutions

The corrosion behaviour of AISI 316L, wrought Co–28Cr–6Mo and Ti–6Al–4V was studied in aerated solutions of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at various concentrations of bovine serum albumin (BSA) at 37 °C. Open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization, linear polarization resistance (LPR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments along with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) on Co–28Cr–6Mo oxide layer were conducted to study the interaction of BSA and passive layers and to measure the corrosion rates. Ti–6Al–4V alloy had the lowest corrosion rate and the highest breakdown potential. It was shown that BSA has enhanced the alloy passive film stability at higher concentrations.

► Potentiodynamic polarization, EIS and LPR measurements on AISI 316L, Co–28Cr–6Mo, and Ti–6Al–4V alloys in PBS solutions at various BSA concentrations.
► Corrosion rates calculations by EIS and LPR methods.
► Interaction of BSA with the passive layer of AISI 316L, Co–28Cr–6Mo, and Ti–6Al–4V alloys.