Microstructure and Tribocorrosion Properties of Pulsed Plasma Nitrided Cast CoCr Alloy for Dental Implant Applications

Abstract

A medical cast CoCr alloy was treated by pulsed plasma nitriding process. The alloys were tested for corrosion and tribocorrosion performance in a laboratory simulated artificial saliva under controlled electrochemical conditions. Results suggest that the pulsed plasma nitriding process provided lower tendency to corrosion and lower corrosion kinetics under sliding, along with significantly reduced wear loss and decrease in optical density in the simulated artificial saliva solution.