Novel composite material using porous sintered stainless steel for orthodontic applications

This paper presents a comparative study of the electrochemical behavior of AISI 316L stainless steel samples, rolled (PM) and powder metallurgy (PM) processed in Fusyama artificial saliva. Open-circuit potential, polarization curves and impedance spectroscopy are the electrochemical procedures selected for this. work The samples microstructural and microcompositional characteristics were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical investigations revealed the specific influence of the sintering material microstructure and porosity on its. electrochemical characteristics. The 316L stainless steel is known as susceptible to localized corrosion by pitting or crevice; this susceptibility is emphasized by the presence of the mechanical tensions. The results of the localized corrosion chemical test suggest the necessity of improvement of the sintering by the length extension of this operation. These aspects argue the possibility of an advantageous use of PM material in applications reserved until now only to the rolled material, especially from dentistry applications.