The effect of potentiostatic polarisation on the electrochemical behavior of the Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarisation curves in Hanks' solution at 37 °C. Potentiodynamic polarisation curves show a passive behavior with a slight current increase as potentials around 1300 mV(SCE). Based on these curves, different potentials were chosen to perform potentiostatic EIS experiments. EIS experimental data were interpreted using different equivalent circuits associated with the duplex nature of the oxide layer. The fitting procedure evidenced the thickening of a defective oxide layer with the applied potentials, corresponding to key points in the potentiodynamic polarisation curves.
passive films; Ti-13Nb-13Zr; biomaterials; EIS
