Anodic polarization measurements made in Hanks' physiological solution at 37 degrees C and a pH of 7.4 show titanium materials to be the most passive of the following metals: titanium, Ti-6A1-4V, Ti-Ni (memory alloy), MP35N (Co-Ni-Cr-Mo), Co-Cr-Mo, 316L stainless steel, and nickel. The influence of the amino acids, cysteine, and tryptophan on the corrosion behavior of Ti-Ni and Ti-6A1-4V was studied. Cysteine caused a lower breakdown potential for Ti-Ni, but it did not affect the breakdown of Ti-6A1-4V, although an increase in current density for Ti-6A1-4V was observed. Tryptophan produced no significant effects.