Corrosion Susceptibility of Stainless Steel in Artificial Saliva Containing Citric Acid

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aims of this study are to investigate the effect of concentration of citric acid in saliva environment on SS 316L and effect of ginger and garlic on SS 316L corrosion in citric acid-containing saliva environment.Methods.Seven SS 316L specimen of dimensions 1cm × 1cm were used for this study. The specimen were subjected to electrochemical corrosion test using an in artificial saliva containing citric acid with varying concentrations of 0.0 g/l, 3.0 g/l, 6.0 g/l, and 9.0 g/l electrochemical cell. 10 g/l each of garlic and ginger were also added to two of artificial saliva samples containing citric acid and one sample of artificial saliva contained 5 g/l of ginger and 5 g/l of garlic added together so as to study the corrosion effects of these substances on the SS 316L specimen in saliva environment. The results were displayed based on Tafel’s plot of current density against potential difference. Also, corrosion rates of the samples were determined and presented in graphical form.Results.The study results showed that citric acid is a good inhibitor of corrosion of SS 316L dental implant in oral environment with its inhibition efficiency depending on its concentration, and that the mechanism of this inhibition can attributed to the adsorption of citric acid onto the metal alloy (SS 316L) surface. The study also concluded that both ginger and garlic are promoters of corrosion of SS 316L alloy implants in saliva environment.