ABSTRACT
The corrosion behavior of alloy Ni 201 in molten sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 600 °C was investigated at varying basicity levels of the molten NaOH. The ability for Ni 201 to form passivating oxides was investigated after immersion tests varying from 70 to 340 h under atmospheres of argon and argon with different partial pressure of water. Morphology and thicknesses of the corrosion products were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and crystallography of the corrosion products by X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Dynamic polarizations were made to investigate the effects of basicity and electrochemical potential. The results showed that Ni 201 corroded at a reduced rate in molten acidic NaOH compared to neutral NaOH due to the formation of NiO. The oxide scales formed on Ni 201 in acidic NaOH were shown to grow non-parabolically and did not result in full corrosion protection as the oxide scales showed crack development over time.
ABSTRACT
CASE: A 15-year-old girl known with osteogenesis imperfecta presented with left femoral pain. She had been treated with multiple Fassier-Duval intramedullary nails, which were still in situ. Radiographic imaging demonstrated focal osteolysis and periosteal reaction at the telescopic junction of the rod in the distal femur. She underwent implant removal. Intraoperative sampling demonstrating acute sterile inflammation and presence of brownish colored particles consistent with metal debris and osteolysis. Explant analysis confirmed corrosion of the stainless-steel telescopic nail as the underlying cause. CONCLUSION: Osteolysis and periosteal reaction because of corrosion should be considered in conjunction with other more common causes of pain, such as fracture or infection, in patients treated with telescopic intramedullary nails.