Shape Memory Alloy Nitinol (Ni-Ti) is an ideal candidate for body implants and medical devices such as coronary stents due to its superelasticity, [1,2] radiopacity [3,4], and shape memory properties. Because of nickel sensitivity, carcinogenicity and a lack of confirmative biocompatibility data available on Nitinol, electrochemical polarization was utilized to compare the biocompatibility of Nitinol alloys and 316L stainless steel in vitro. Corrosion rates were determined by employing a Gamry corrosion cell with Hanks' and Ringer's solution at 37°C and 39.5°C. The rate of corrosion of Nitinol was comparable to that of 316L stainless steel.
