Corrosion behaviour of dental metals and alloys in different media

The corrosion tendencies of metals are related with their position in the electromotive series. These electrode potential degrees may change due to the compositions of the alloys, the surrounding media, or due to alterations in the composition because of recurrent casting. Therefore in this research, the electrode potentials and their changes over a period of time were measured in different pH media simulating the oral electrochemical conditions in vitro. The surface structure of the first and second castings of 29 different dental metals and alloys were examined under a scanning electron microscope and their composition in percentage weight was calculated by the Energy-dispersive X-ray Analyser system. Further the current-potential curves of the dental alloys were found by the potentiodynamic method in three different solutions and, in addition, the changes of corrosion potentials over time were also determined. The corrosion rates, corrosion potentials, their changes over time and their cathodic Tafel slopes were determined. All alloys tested showed ion leakage in corrosive media. Titanium exhibited the least, but alloys with tin and cobalt content displayed the greatest corrosion tendencies. Alloys with iron and copper corroded in the acid media, conversely alloys containing chromium, nichel and molybdenum proved to be resistant to corrosion. The recurrent castings were also corrosion resistant.