Effect of nitrogen ion implantation on the localized corrosion behavior of titanium modified type 316L stainless steel in simulated body fluid

Nitrogen ion implantation on titanium-modified type 316L stainless steel (SS) at the energy of 70 keV was carried out at different doses ranging from 1×10¹⁵ to 2.5×10¹⁷ ions/cm². These samples were subjected to open circuit potential (OCP)—time measurement, cyclic polarization, and accelerated leaching studies—in order to discover the optimum dose that can provide good localized corrosion resistance in a simulated body fluid condition. The results showed that the localized corrosion resistance improved with an increase in doses up to 1×10¹⁷ ions/cm², beyond which it started to deteriorate. The results of the accelerated leaching studies showed that the leaching of the major alloying elements was arrested upon nitrogen ion implantation. Gracing incidence x-ray diffraction studies showed the formation of chromium nitrides at a dose of 2.5×10¹⁷ ions/cm². X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies revealed the presence of these chromium nitrides in the passive film, which was attributed to the decreased corrosion resistance at a higher dose. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy studies on the passive film showed the variation in the depth profile upon nitrogen ion implantation. Thus, nitrogen ion implantation can be effectively used as a method to improve the corrosion resistance of the orthopedic implant devices made of titanium-modified type 316L SS. The nature of the passive film and its influence on corrosion resistance are discussed in this article.