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Corrosion behavior of tantalum-coated cobalt-chromium modular necks compared to titanium modular necks in a simulator test.

Corrosion behavior of tantalum-coated cobalt-chromium modular necks compared to titanium modular necks in a simulator test.

The Journal of arthroplasty (2013-10-09)

Ulrich Dorn, Daniel Neumann, Mario Frank

ABSTRACT

This study compared the corrosion behavior of tantalum-coated cobalt-chromium modular necks with that of titanium alloy modular necks at their junction to titanium-alloy femoral stem. Tests were performed in a dry assembly and two wet assemblies, one contaminated with calf serum and the other contaminated with calf serum and bone particles. Whereas the titanium modular neck tested in the dry assembly showed no signs of corrosion, the titanium modular necks tested in both wet assemblies showed marked depositions and corrosive attacks. By contrast, the tantalum-coated cobalt-chromium modular necks showed no traces of corrosion or chemical attack in any of the three assemblies. This study confirms the protective effect of tantalum coating the taper region of cobalt-chromium modular neck components, suggesting that the use of tantalum may reduce the risk of implant failure due to corrosion.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, powder, 99.99% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, foil, thickness 0.25 mm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, foil, thickness 0.025 mm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, wire, diam. 1.0 mm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, foil, thickness 1.0 mm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, foil, thickness 0.5 mm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

Tantalum, foil, 25mm disks, thickness 0.006mm, 99.9%

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 120x120mm, thickness 0.025mm, as rolled, 99.9%

Tantalum, wire reel, 10m, diameter 0.5mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, wire reel, 0.5m, diameter 0.8mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, wire reel, 20m, diameter 0.25mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, wire reel, 5m, diameter 0.125mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, rod, 200mm, diameter 10.0mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, wire reel, 100m, diameter 0.125mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, wire reel, 1m, diameter 0.40mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.001mm, 99.9%

Tantalum, mesh, 100x100mm, nominal aperture 0.43mm, wire diameter 0.075mm, 50x50 wires/inch, open area 72%, plain weave mesh

Tantalum, foil, 100x100mm, thickness 0.25mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, foil, 25x25mm, thickness 0.75mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, foil, 50x50mm, thickness 1.0mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, foil, 100x100mm, thickness 0.15mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, foil, 100x100mm, thickness 0.125mm, annealed, 99.9%

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, powder, 60-100 mesh, 99.9%

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, powder, −325 mesh, 99.9% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, foil, thickness 0.05 mm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.015mm, 99.9%

Tantalum, rod, 50mm, diameter 12.7mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, rod, 200mm, diameter 2.0mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.05mm, annealed, 99.9%

Tantalum, wire reel, 1m, diameter 0.30mm, annealed, 99.9%