In-vitro analysis of metallic particles, colloidal nanoparticles and ions in wear-corrosion products of SUS317L stainless steel

The present study attempts to clarify the relative cytotoxic levels of ions , colloidal nanoparticles, and metallic particles found in wear-corrosion p roducts of SUS317L stainless steel. The wear-corrosion products were genera ted in pin-on-plate wear tests in a calcium-magnesium-free phosphate buffer ed saline solution (PBS(-)). Of all the particles and ions generated by wea r-corrosion, colloidal nanoparticles induced maximum cytotoxicity. Metallic particles were much better tolerated than colloidal nanoparticles. Levels of iron and chron-dum. ions released into the PBS(-) solution were too low to induce cytotoxic effects. Cytotoxic effects due to nickel were still sma ller than those due to the colloidal nanoparticles. These nanoparticles con sisted mainly of phosphate-containing amorphous iron hydroxide formed by pr ecipitation, and possibly mechanochemical reaction during wear-corrosion. ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.