Biodegradation of metallic surgical implants investigated using an ultrasound-assisted process combined with ICP-OES and XRD

Biodegradation of metallic implant materials was investigated in solutions to simulate conditions in the human body. Saliva and body fluids were represented by phosphate-buffered saline solution, Hank's solution, and fluoridated saliva solution. Alloys of titanium, niobium, nickel, and two austenitic stainless steels were examined as the implant materials. In vitro metals released from the alloys by ultrasonically assisted leaching and conventional static immersion tests were compared to evaluate the application of ultrasound in a long-term implant biodegradation study. Atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was employed to determine the metals liberated during immersion of the implant materials. Corrosion of the materials and morphological changes in the surface structure were investigated using an X-ray powder diffraction method.