Corrosion and surface characterization of titanium biomaterial after magnetoelectropolishing

The paper deals with the titanium biomaterial characterization after electrolytic polishing in a magnetic field in comparison with a conventional electropolishing. Both surface roughness characteristics and corrosion behaviour of Ti biomaterial wire in a physiological body fluid, Ringer's solution, were studied. Comparison results are presented concerning surface after abrasive polishing (using the paper of grit size up to 1000) MP, standard electropolishing EP, and magnetoelectropolishing MEP. All obtained results concerning generally the titanium biomaterial surface roughness, and corrosion resistance in halide media have been considerably improved in the process of MEP and are much better than after a conventional EP. To underline the advantage of MEP process against up-to-date surface treatments, a mechanical bending test was carried out revealing much better resistance to fracture. At the end, this fatigue test has been supported by scanning electron microscopy SEM images of Ti wire biomaterial fracture. A considerable difference in fracture pattern may be observed indicating more plastic behaviour of sample after MEP.