Study of the Physical and Electrochemical Properties of Surface Modified Co Alloy Intended for Urology

The aim of this study was to evaluate the properties of Co alloy subjected to surface modification using biodegradable polymer coatings for use on urological implants. As part of the research part, the polymeric coatings P(L,LL/CL) and P(D,LL/CL), which were the inner coatings and an additional outer coating of heparin-releasing polyvinyl alcohol, were applied to electropolished cobalt alloy. The samples were tested at baseline and after a 30-day exposure to a solution simulating urine. Surface wettability, adhesion of the coatings to the substrate, abrasion resistance, pitting corrosion resistance and microscopic observations were carried out. On the basis of the analysis of the obtained results, it was concluded that the proposed coatings contribute to the improvement of the corrosion resistance of the Co-Cr-Mo substrate and have a positive effect on preventing the encrustation.