Influence of fluoride and chloride on corrosion behavior of NiTi orthodontic wires

The influence of fluoride and chloride ions on the corrosion behavior of nearly equiatomic nickel–titanium orthodontic wires was studied using conventional electrochemical measurement methods, including corrosion potential, potentiodynamic and cyclic potentiodynamic polarization measurements. In addition, scanning electron microscopy was employed to observe the surface morphology before and after the test. All the electrochemical parameters are analyzed based on the sample standard deviations. The results indicated that NiTi alloy is primarily susceptible to localized corrosion when exposed to a solution containing chloride, while it is susceptible to general corrosion when subjected to a solution containing fluoride. Furthermore, the synergistic interaction of fluoride and chloride on corrosion of NiTi alloy is associated with their respective molar concentrations.