Use of Electron Microscopy in the Analysis of the Influence of Roughness on the Corrosion Behavior of Selected Ti Alloys

Titanium alloys are among the biocompatible materials that are used for biomedical implants. From the point of view of the reactivity of the human body, it is important to know the state of the surface of these materials, which in technical practice is represented by the term surface integrity, which includes a complex of evaluated properties. One of the classic approaches is the evaluation of the surface roughness and the properties of the stable oxide layer, which influence the formation of the connection of the implant with human tissues and influence its acceptance. Another frequent approach is the use of optical metallography, especially for the assessment of material thickness, distribution and character of corrosion attack. Less common is the use of electron microscopy in the evaluation of the surface, which in this case is affected by the action of corrosion. Samples of both pure titanium and Ti6Al4V alloy were divided into sets according to surface roughness and subsequently exposed to corrosion for different periods of time. The presented article is devoted to basic analyzes of the effect of roughness on corrosion behavior using not only classical optical but also electron microscopy.