A facile and cost-effective practical approach to develop clinical applications of NiTi: Fenton oxidation process
R. Asghari, Mir Saman Safavi, Jafar Khalil‐Allafi
Abstract
To date, numerous attempts have been made to modify the surface condition of NiTi shape memory alloy to fully benefit from its desirable characteristics, and develop its potential clinical applications. In this survey, the Fenton oxidation process as a newly presented technique for surface modification of NiTi, was employed to address two major priorities in biomedical applications of NiTi, i.e. corrosion improvement and suppression of Ni ion release. To meet these priorities, two important variables involved in the Fenton oxidation process, namely immersion time and electrolyte temperature, were controlled. Results suggested that the application of such an oxidation process may considerably improve the corrosion behaviour of NiTi. The Fenton oxidation process carried out at 65°C for 24 h yields the lowest corrosion current density, 74% lower than bare NiTi. Additionally, Ni ion releases from the surface of NiTi after Fenton's oxidation decreases by ∼97%.