Corrosion behaviour of titanium after short-term exposure to an acidic environment containing fluoride ions

The negative effect of fluoride ions on titanium has been known in dentistry for a long time. The presented work was aimed at the interaction between titanium and model saliva following a short-term exposure of a specimen to a model medical preparation rich in fluoride ions. The experimental work was carried out using titanium grade 2 in a physiological solution (pH non-adjusted, 5.8, 4.2; 5000 ppm F⁻) and in model saliva. Electrochemical measurement techniques were supplemented with XPS analysis. The presence of fluoride ions resulted in partial degradation of the passive layer even in a slightly acidic environment. The decrease of pH to the value of 4.2 and the presence of 5000 ppm F⁻ caused titanium activation followed by a slow repassivation in model saliva. Formation of low soluble compound rich in fluorine explains experimental data. Short medical treatment can result in relatively long period of increased titanium corrosion.