Influence of hardening and surface modification of endourological wires on corrosion resistance.

Guide wires with suitable functional characteristics are of crucial importance for proper urological treatment. This study presents an analysis of the effect of work hardening taking place in the process of wire cold drawing and the effect of surface modification by means of electrochemical polishing and chemical passivation on the resistance of wires made of X10CrNi18-8 steel used in urology. Corrosion resistance was evaluated on the grounds of the registered anodic polarisation curves by means of potentiodynamic method. The tests were made in solution simulating human urine. Anodic polarisation curves were presented for selected wire diameters. Mechanical properties were tested in a static uniaxial tensile test. The course of flow curve as well as mathematical form of flow stress function were determined. Curves presenting the relation of polarisation resistance as a function of strain applied in the drawing process are given. The tests carried out show that surface modification by means of electrochemical polishing and then chemical passivation of wires used in endourological treatment is fundamental.