%0 Journal Article %T Electrochemical behavior of Ni-Ti alloy after surface modification %A M. Kaczmarek %A W. Simka %A A. Baron %A J. Szewczenko %J Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering %D 2006 %I World Academy of Materials and Manufacturing Engineering %X Purpose: The shape memory effect and superelasticity make the nickel-titanium alloy an interesting material formedical applications. But the biocompatibility has been questioned due to conflicting results in the literature.The latest research has shown that this situation may be caused by a variation in NiTi surface treatment.The appropriate surface treatment increases the corrosion resistance. The paper presents the electrochemicalbehavior of NiTi alloy after surface modification with the use of various techniques.Design/methodology/approach: The evaluation of the electrochemical behavior of NiTi alloy was realizedboth by recording of anodic polarization curves with the use of the potentiodynamic method and by anelectrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique (EIS).Findings: Surface condition of metallic biomaterial determines its corrosion resistance. In the course of thework it was observed that the lowest values of corrosion current were recorded for the sterilized and thethermally passivated samples. The highest values of corrosion current were recorded for the ground samples.These samples obviously had also the highest corrosion rate.Research limitations/implications: The obtained results are the basis for the optimization of physicochemicalproperties of the metallic biomaterial. The future research should be focused on selected specific implantsspecially with respect to their application features.Practical implications: On the basis of the obtained results it can be stated that the suggested surface treatmentcan be applicable for medical implants due to the increase of the corrosion resistance and in consequence theincrease of biocompatibility.Originality/value: The paper presents the influence of various methods of the surface treatment on corrosionresistance of the NiTi alloy. The suggested methods can be applied in treatment of the material intended formedical applications especially in cases where the surface roughness plays important role. %K Metallic alloys %K Biomaterials %K Corrosion %K Tyrode¡¯s physiological solution %U http://www.journalamme.org/papers_amme06/1180.pdf