Corrosion performances of a Nickel-free Fe-based bulk metallic glass in simulated body fluids

The corrosion performance of a Nickel-free Fe-based bulk metallic glass (BMG), Fe41Co7Cr15Mo14C15B6Y2 alloy, in Hank’s solution with pH value 7.4 and artificial saliva solution with pH value 6.3, was investigated by electrochemical techniques, aiming to assess the feasibility of Fe-based BMG as potential biomaterial. It was found that Fe41Co7Cr15Mo14C15B6Y2 BMG shows superior corrosion resistance in both simulated body fluids (SBF). The EIS analysis and cyclic polarization measurements indicated that the Fe41Co7Cr15Mo14C15B6Y2 BMG has larger polarization resistance value than that of 316L SS. The pitting corrosion potentials of Fe41Co7Cr15Mo14C15B6Y2 BMG are much higher than that of the 316L SS, resulting in very few ions releasing into the SBFs while a significant amount of Ni and Fe ions release was found for 316L SS under the same condition.