Corrosion analysis of NiCu and PdCo thermal seed alloys used as interstitial hyperthermia implants.
Ferromagnetic materials with low Curie temperatures are being investigated for use as interstitial implants for fractionated hyperthermia treatment of prostatic disease. Previous investigations of the system have utilized alloys, such as NiCu, with inadequate corrosion resistance, requiring the use of catheters for removal of the implants following treatment or inert surface coatings which may interfere with thermal characteristics of the implants. We are evaluating a palladium-cobalt (PdCo) binary alloy which is very similar to high palladium alloys used in dentistry. Electrochemical corrosion tests and immersion tests at 37 degrees C for both NiCu and PdCo alloy samples in mammalian Ringer's solution were performed. Long-term corrosion rates are 5.8 x 10(-5) microm per year (NiCu) and 7.7 x 10(-8) microm per year (PdCo) from average immersion test results, indicating higher corrosion resistance of PdCo (P < 0.02); immersion corrosion rates were much lower than initial corrosion rates found electrochemically. Both alloys had significantly lower corrosion rates than standard surgical implant rates of 0.04 microm per year (P < 0.001 for both alloys). Scanning electron microscopy illustrates changes in the NiCu alloy surface due to pitting corrosion; no difference is observed for PdCo. The data indicate that the PdCo alloy may be suitable as a long-term implant for use in fractionated hyperthermia.
Paulus
J A
JA
Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Parida
G R
GR
Tucker
R D
RD
Park
J B
JB
D000497:Alloys / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003035:Cobalt / Q000737:chemistry*; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D003343:Corrosion; D004563:Electrochemistry; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry*; D010165:Palladium / Q000737:chemistry*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D000077331:Ringer's Solution
D000497:Alloys; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; C062136:nickel copper alloy; C099370:palladium-cobalt alloy; D003035:Cobalt; D010165:Palladium; D003300:Copper; D009532:Nickel; D000077331:Ringer's Solution