Applying ASTM G71 to Galvanic Corrosion Testing of Small Medical Implants

Screening tests to qualify materials for modern medical devices and implants are necessary to ensure longevity of service with minimal risk of failure by chemical (corrosion) or mechanical causes. New devices and medical procedures that involve different materials in direct contact with each other may be prone to localized galvanic corrosion, the propensity for which could be identified by using suitable laboratory testing. ASTM G71, which was developed for the chemical and process industries, can be applied to provide indications for small medical devices used in vivo. This paper describes the laboratory testing procedures and provides some representative examples pertinent to medical implants.