Corrosion mechanism of Ti-6Al-4V morse taper dental implants connected to 316 L stainless steel prosthetic abutment

Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of galvanic coupling between stainless steel AISI 316 L abutment type Morse taper and implant made of ASTM F1108–14 Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The assembly of the two alloys was carried out using mechanical imbrication by means of successive strikes at 0.05 J force onto the abutment inserted in the implant along the centerline. Corrosion attack at the interface of the alloys was evaluated according to the number of strikes used for joining the parts. Corrosion resistance was evaluated for the samples by open circuit potential measurements as function of time and scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and scanning ion selective electrode technique (SIET) in phosphate buffer solution with pH adjusted to 3.0, and into which hydrogen peroxide was added to simulate tissue inflammatory conditions. Samples were evaluated at the cross and longitudinal sections. Results indicated that the number of strikes used in assembling affected corrosion susceptibility. The lowest amount of corrosion products was associated to the highest number of strikes used. The corrosion resistance was related to the characteristics of the crevice between the implant and the abutment.