Pitting Corrosion of Biomedical Titanium and Titanium Alloys: A Brief Review

Thanks to their excellent corrosion resistance, superior mechanical properties and good biocompatibility, titanium (Ti) and Ti alloys are extensively applied in biomedical fields. Pitting corrosion is a critical consideration for the reliability of Ti and Ti alloys used in the human body. Therefore, this article focuses on the pitting corrosion of Ti and Ti alloys, which introduces the growth stages of pitting corrosion and its main influencing factors. Three stages, i.e. (1) breakdown of passive film, (2) metastable pitting, and (3) propagation of pitting, are roughly divided to introduce the pitting corrosion. As reviewed, corrosive environment, applied potential, temperature and alloy compositions are the main factors affecting the pitting corrosion of Ti and Ti alloys. Moreover, the pitting corrosion of different types Ti alloys are also reviewed to correlate the types of Ti alloys and the main factors of pitting corrosion. Roughly speaking, β-type Ti alloys have the best pitting corrosion resistance among the three types of Ti alloys.