Corrosion behavior of nitrogen stainless steel in Ringer's solution

The implant materials used in medicine are made from different materials and the principle requirement to each material used is its biocompatibility. This work reports preliminary results regarding assessment of high nitrogen stainless steel (HNS) Cr18Mn12N as an implant material replacing of the common Ni containing stainless steels which are toxic. Short -time (for 1 h) and long -time (for up to 220 h) open circuit potential measurements were performed as well as potentiodynamic and potentiostatic studies in Ringer's solution at 37 degrees C. The effect of the preliminary treatment was also considered. After the potentiostatic tests optical and scanning electron microscopies were used to determine the character of the corrosion attack. The surface of the samples was examined and by EDX analysis in order to find out the corrosion products content. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that the HNS steel exhibits better corrosion resistance in Ringer's solution.