The thin electrolyte layer approach to corrosion testing of dental materials - characterization of the technique

An innovative technique for corrosion testing of metallic dental materials is introduced. The thin electrolyte layer technique (TET) simulates the phy sical characteristics of the oral environment by employing a still, thin la yer of an electrolyte, in contrast to bulk electrolyte techniques (BET) whi ch utilize relatively large quantities of fluid. Limiting current density t ests on a platinum electrode revealed a lower surface oxygen content for TE T. Berate buffer (pH 6.8) was employed as an electrolyte. The effect of low er oxygen content in TET on passivation and polarization characteristics of 316L SS in 0.9% saline was investigated. The results revealed differences in the polarization resistance and open circuit potential development with time, as well as in anodic and cathodic polarization behavior. Lower O-2 co ncentration in TET was attributed to different electrolyte convection chara cteristics under both testing conditions. Additionally, use of the TET resu lted in better data reproducibility. Overall, this investigation led to a d eeper understanding of the electrochemical processes inherent in thin elect rolytes such as those found in the oral environment. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scie nce Ltd. All rights reserved.