Controlled Electrodeposition of Silver on Implant-Grade Ti-6Al-4 V ELI Alloy: Surface and Corrosion Behavior
摘要
The implant-grade titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4 V ELI (ASTM F136, Grade 23) is widely employed in orthopedic and dental devices owing to its high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, its lack of intrinsic antibacterial activity has motivated the development of surface modifications based on silver deposition. In this work, the controlled electrodeposition of silver on Ti-6Al-4 V ELI substrates is investigated, evaluating the combined influence of electrolyte concentration (0.01 and 0.1 M) and deposition time. The process was quantitatively analyzed through current–time transients and Faradaic charge, identifying an optimized deposition window (60 s at 0.1 M) that effectively prevents growth instabilities and ensures morphological homogeneity. Microstructural and compositional characterization by SEM/EDS and XRD confirmed the formation of pure metallic Ag coatings while preserving the biphasic α + β microstructure of the alloy. Although limited to single representative measurements, potentiodynamic polarization tests indicated that the optimized silver coating tends to enhance electrochemical stability, exhibiting a lower corrosion rate (0.0058 mm·year-1) compared to thinner deposits. Moreover, the demonstrated reproducibility and compatibility of this electrodeposition route with complex geometries highlight its potential as a scalable and cost-effective strategy for functionalizing implant-grade titanium alloys. Unlike previous reports relying on physical vapor deposition or immersion methods, this study establishes electrodeposition as a controllable and environmentally favorable approach for tailoring the surface properties of Ti-6Al-4 V ELI, providing a foundation for future investigations linking electrochemical stability with antibacterial performance.