Corrosion of some selected ceramic alloys used in fixed partial dentures and their postsolder joints in a synthetic neutral saliva.

The electrochemical behavior of several alloys used in the frameworks of fixed partial dentures and their corresponding postsolders was studied in artificial saliva as a function of chemical composition. Open circuit potentials and polarization resistances were measured. The general electrochemical behaviors between the cathodic domain and the oxidation of solvent were characterized using cyclic polarization. The possible galvanic corrosion of coupled parent and postsolder alloys was also studied. The polarization resistances were high or very high. During immersion, the noblest alloys stayed in the immunity domains of their base elements, whereas Ni-Cr alloys were quickly passivated. The oxidation of the noble elements occurred only when the alloys were exposed to very high potentials solely achievable by artificial means. However, problems of galvanic corrosion may occur between an alloy and its postsolder joint if they are both exposed to saliva. Such corrosion may lead to a weakening of the framework. The parent alloy was often potentially affected by such corrosion but with low exchange currents.