P558 stainless steel, nickel free, has been studied by this group with the purpose of verifying its viability for use in orthopedic implants. In previous works, it has been shown by stationary electrochemical techniques that this steel presents a similar behavior of that presented by ISO 5832-9 with a corrosion resistance significantly higher when compared to ISO 5832-1 stainless steel, usually known as F138 SS. In this work the temporal evolution of the interfase P558/NaCl 0.11 mol L-1 was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, at the open circuit potential. The time intervals observed were 10 min. 1 day, 2 days and 5 days. It was observed that the passive film became more protective with the increase of time. The experimental data was modeled using the equivalent electrical circuit approach. This approach suggested an initial existence of a slightly protective passive film, which then permitted the formation of a more compact secondary film upon stabilization of the conditions.
P558 stainless steel; electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; equivalent circuits
