Summary for titanium body implants passivation Discussion
Titanium body implants passivation is a bit of a misnomer, according to Lee Kremer of Stellar Solutions, Inc. He explains that the real goal is to clean the surface and remove iron compounds and other active metals so the titanium resists corrosion. For this application, he points to ASTM F86 as the relevant specification. In the 2002 discussion, he notes that ASTM F86 at that time cited nitric acid as the approved method, while citric acid systems were being added because they work well and are safer and easier to use. The original question asked for methods of passivation for titanium alloys used in body implants, and the answer focuses on surface cleaning and contamination removal rather than true passivation chemistry.
Q. Please suggest to me the methods of passivation of titanium alloys which are to be used for body implants.
Thank you,
Animesh Choubey
– Kanpur, U.P., India
2002
A. “Passivation” of titanium alloys is a misnomer, of course. However, many in the industry do call it passivation. What you are really doing is cleaning the surface and removing iron compounds and other active metals from the surface to prevent any corrosion.
ASTM F86 is the specification that is used for this application. It sites only nitric acid at this time (2002), but citric acid systems are being added to the specification because they work very well and are safe and easy to use.
Lee Kremer
Stellar Solutions, Inc.
McHenry, Illinois
2002
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