Avaliação da corrosão em juntas soldadas de fios dissimilares Ni-Ti/Ti-Mo obtidas pelo processo de TIG.

Abstract

The Ni-Ti alloy, known as Nitinol, is made of nickel and titanium elements and has been widely applied in several areas: aerospace, automotive, construction, medical and orthodontic appliances. Nitinol's application potential is due to its particular superelasticity properties and shape memory effect associated with a good corrosion resistance and excellent biocompatibility. In order to increase the applications of this material in medical devices, the development of joining technologies is necessary to enable manufacture of the most different geometric shapes and combinations of similar and dissimilar materials. In this context, it is essential to conduct studies on the corrosion resistance of the region where the union (joint) was done, especially when welding processes are used, as they can leave gaps leading to greater susceptibility to corrosion. With this in mind, this work carried out the union of Ni-Ti orthodontic wire with Ti-Mo orthodontic wire through the autogenous TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding process. As biomaterials are involved, this study aimed to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the upright commercial wire and welded joint Ni-Ti/Ti-Mo in buffered saline solution SBP (Saline Buffered Phosphate) which simulates human blood, to check if the welding would affect the corrosion resistance of the joint. The results revealed that the TIG welding process used in this work generated welds of excellent quality, having a corrosion resistance higher than that of intact wires. The experimental design used to determine the influence of temperature and time of heat treatment on the results of corrosion generated a great experiment with temperature of 350 ° C and a time of 40 minutes. This result was confirmed by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test.