Abstract
NiTi alloy has been used for orthodontic wire due to good mechanical properties, such as elastic strength, friction resistance, and high corrosion resistance. Recently, these wire were coated by polymer and ceramic materials for aesthetics. The purpose of this study was to investigate electrochemical characteristics of tooth colored NiTi wire using various instruments. Wires (round type and rectangular type) were used, respectively, for experiment. Polymer coating was carried out for wire. Specimen was investigated with optical microscopy (OM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The corrosion properties of the specimens were examined using potentiodynamic tests (potential range of -1500 ~ 2000 mV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (frequency range of 100 kHz ~ 10 mHz) in a 0.9 % NaCl solution by potentiostat. From the results of polarization behavior, the passive region of non-coated NiTi wire showed largely, whereas, the passive region of curved NiTi wire showed shortly in anodic polarization curve. In the case of coated NiTi wire, pitting and crevice corrosion occurred severely at interface between non-coated and coated region. From the results of EIS, polarization resistance(Rp) value of non-coated round and rectangular NiTi wire at curved part showed $5.10{\times}10^5{\Omega}cm^2$ and $4.43{\times}10^5{\Omega}cm^2$. lower than that of coated NiTi wire. $R_p$ of coated round and rectangular NiTi wire at curved part showed $1.31{\times}10^6{\Omega}cm^2$ and $1.19{\times}10^6{\Omega}cm^2$.
