Stainless steel 316L is an important metal for biomedical applications. The stronger the oxide layer on the 316L stainless steel, the more durable the metal will be for implantable medical devices. Experiments were designed to test the electrochemical characteristics of the oxide layer formed on 316L stainless steel after the application of a variety of passivation conditions. Samples of 316L stainless steel were electropolished and passivated in either nitric acid or citric acid at either room temperature or 65 oC. The samples were then analyzed by the electrochemical technique of cyclic polarization. The data collected from cyclic polarization, included passive region, pitting characteristics, breakdown and repassivation potentials, and corrosion rate. It was determined that citric acid passivation at 65 ?o?Cgenerated the most durable oxide layer based on corrosion rate.

Correlation of passivation treatments on 316L stainless steel with electrochemical behavior

247th National Meeting (2014)

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