Galvanic Corrosion of Nitinol Under Deaerated and Aerated Conditions

Numerous studies have examined the corrosion rate of nitinol generally under deaerated conditions.  Likewise, galvanic corrosion studies have typically involved deaerated solutions.  This study examined the effect of galvanic coupling on nitinol in phosphate buffered saline and 0.9% sodium chloride under dearated and aerated conditions.  Tests were performed on electropolished nitinol alone and coupled with MP35N.  Corrosion currents were obtained for nitinol at various times up to 24 h by Tafel extrapolation of polarization curves.  These values were compared with galvanic corrosion currents measured over the same period.