The metal 316L stainless steel has been an important component of many implantable medical devices, including use as the structural component of cardiac stents.  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of passivation time, temperature and solution composition on the metallic composition of the oxide surface and the electrochemical properties of treated samples.  Metal coupons were electropolished for 30 s at 70 oC, thoroughly rinsed, and then passivated with solutions of either citric acid or nitric acid at varying concentrations and for varying times and temperatures.  Highest Cr/Fe ratios (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and greatest electrochemical passivation (DC polarization) were achieved with highest passivation temperature at the longest times (30 min), with no correlation between type of acid or among the ranges of acid concentration.

Effect of passivation time, temperature, and solution composition on the oxide film composition and electrochemical properties of metallic biomaterial 316L stainless steel

245th National Meeting (2013)

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