Behavior of a Co-Cr-Mo biomaterial in simulated body fluid solutions studied by electrochemical and surface analysis techniques

The behavior of a Co-Cr-Mo biomaterial used as dental prosthesis was studied by electrochemical (Open Circuit Potential (OCP) and potentiodynamic polarization) and surface analysis techniques (Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)) in artificial saliva, artificial saliva with modified temperature (7degreesC-47degreesC) and pH (1.4-13.4), and containing fluoride (1500 ppm). The results revealed that the surface morphology after potentiodynamic polarization is highly heterogeneous exhibiting three regions of different composition. Soluble metal species such as CrO42- were released to the solution during the potentiodynamic polarization. The electrochemical processes were markedly influenced by solution temperature and pH, whereas the presence of fluoride did not produce changes in the system.