Electropolishing of Stainless Steel Implants for Stable Functional Osteosynthesis

Abstract

A new method for the electrochemical polishing (ECP) of stainless steel to be used for stable functional osteosynthesis has been developed. Implants have been polished in solutions based on trinary system H 2 SO 4 -H 3 PO 4 -H 2 O with a stepwise decrease in current density and increase in orthophosphoric acid concentration. The optimal polishing conditions (current density, solution composition, temperature and duration) have been determined. The developed method improves the quality and the mechanical properties of the surface polished. K e y w o r d s: electrochemical polishing, stainless steels, implants, and functional osteosynthesis.