Application of EIS to Study the Corrosion Resistance of Passivated NiTi Shape Memory Alloy in Simulated Body Fluid

The NiTi shape memory alloy passivated for 90 min by autoclaving has been studied towards corrosion performance in the Tyrode’s simulated body fluid using open circuit potential and EIS measurements. The surface morphology and thickness of the oxide layer was determined by XRR. The HREM was used to observe the cross-section of the thin foil and to confirm the amorphous state of the TiO₂ layer and its thickness. Electrochemical measurements revealed a good corrosion resistance at the beginning of long-term (20 days) immersion. It was found that with the increase of immersion time, the corrosion resistance of the surface deteriorated after nearly 1 day of immersion due to occurence of pitting corrosion. The EIS method was used to detailed study on the electrolyte | passive layer interfacial properties. Equivalent electrical circuit for the pitting corrosion on the passivated NiTi alloy has been applied.