Corrosion in stainless-steel and nickel-titanium files

This study evaluated and compared the corrosion susceptibility of stainless-steel and nickel-titanium (NiTi) endodontic files immersed in sodium hypochlorite. For each of the stainless-steel files (Kerr K-Flex, Caulk Flex-O, and Union Broach Flex-R) plus the NiTi files (Union Broach NiTi and Tulsa NiTi), the cutting flutes of 24 ISO size 20 files were immersed into 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. Their open circuit potential (OCP) was recorded for 1 h on a strip chart with high impedance. The strip chart recording for each file was classified into a stability score: (i) stable, (ii) unstable, or (iii) erratic. The OCP was measured by a potentiostat and a standard calomel electrode reference. The OCP classification of unstable and erratic for the files evaluated were as follows: K-Flex (16%), Flex-R (12%), Flex-O (75%), Union Broach NiTi (62%), and Tulsa NiTi (0%). After OCP testing, each of the 120 files was inspected by light microscopy at x25. The frequencies of visually observed corrosion were detected as follows: K-Flex (2/24), Flex-R (1/24), Flex-O (6/24), Union Broach NiTi (2/24), and Tulsa NiTi (0/24). There was a significant difference in corrosion frequency between brands when evaluated by OCP and light microscopy; however, there was no significant difference between stainless steel and NiTi.