Studies Concerning the Corrosion Behavior of Cast and Wrought Implant Materials.

The corrosion resistance in chloride containing body fluids of as-cast, forged, and welded specimens of ″Protasul″ alloys, i. e. , cobalt-base alloys containing large amounts of Ni, Cr, and Mo, which are used in endoprosthetics as artificial articulated joints, was investigated. In testing for pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, and formation of galvanic elements, long-time immersion, chemically accelerated corrosion, and electrochemical measurement techniques were employed. For comparison, other Co-Cr-Mo alloys and stainless steel were also tested. Results are presented and discussed.