In vitro corrosion behavior of cast iron-platinum magnetic alloys

The objective of this study was to investigate the corrosion resistance of cast Fe-Pt alloys of varying compositions for use as attachment keepers and to make a comparison with the corrosion resistance of magnetic stainless steel.

The corrosion behavior of cast Fe-Pt alloy keepers (Fe-40 at%Pt, Fe-38 at%Pt, Fe-37 at%Pt and Fe-36 at%Pt) was evaluated by means of an immersion test and an anodic polarization test. The solutions used were a 1.0% lactic acid aqueous solution (pH=2.3) (10 ml) and 0.9% NaCl solution (pH=7.3) (10 ml). As a control, the corrosion resistance of a magnetic stainless steel keeper (SUS 447J1: HICOREX) was also measured.

Chromium and platinum ions were not detected in either the 1.0% lactic acid or 0.9% NaCl solutions. The only released ions detected were the Fe ions in the 1.0% lactic acid solution. The amounts of Fe ions released from the Fe-40 at%Pt and Fe-38 at%Pt alloys were significantly (p<0.05) lower than from the Fe-37at%Pt, Fe-36 at%Pt and SUS 447J1 alloys. In the anodic polarization test, the potentials at the beginning of passivation for the four Fe-Pt alloys were higher than for the SUS 447J1 alloy in both solutions.

The Fe-Pt alloys, especially the alloys with higher Pt percentages (Fe-40 and 38 at%Pt), indicated a high corrosion resistance compared to the magnetic stainless steel keeper. A reduction in the Pt percentage may decrease the corrosion resistance in the oral environment.