Resistance to atmospheric corrosion in different environments located in Chile and the corrosion’s effect on the mechanical properties of SAE 1020 steel were studied. Atmospheric corrosivity categories at each station under study were determined. These categories were C2, for Laja; C3 and C4, for the Arica and Antarctic stations, respectively; and the most aggressive, C5 and higher at Quintero. These specific environments significantly influenced the mechanical responses of steel exposed for 36 months. Rupture elongation, the modulus of toughness, ultimate tensile strength, and hardness of the material all decreased as a function of environmental atmospheric aggressiveness. Lowered ductility is the result of the increased corrosion rate due to the high deposition of chlorides. This is due to the morphology of material degradation, which consequently occurs as pores, microstrains, and other defects that promote early rupture of the steel.

The increase in longevity worldwide has intensified the use of different types of prostheses for the human body, such as those used in dental work as well as in hip and knee replacements. Currently, Ti-6Al-4V is widely used as a joint implant due to its good mechanical properties and durability. However, studies have revealed that this alloy can release metal ions or particles harmful to human health. The mechanisms are not well understood yet and may involve wear and/or corrosion. Therefore, in this work, commercial pure titanium and a Ti-6Al-4V alloy were investigated before and after being exposed to a simulated biological fluid through tribological tests, surface analysis, and ionic dissolution characterization by ICP-AES. Before exposure, X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy revealed equiaxed α-Ti in both materials and β-Ti in Ti-6Al-4V. Scratch tests exhibited a lower coefficient of friction for Ti-6Al-4V alloy than commercially pure titanium. After exposure, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy results showed an oxide film formed by TiO₂, both in commercially pure titanium and in Ti-6Al-4V, and by TiO and Al₂O₃ associated with the presence of the alloys. Furthermore, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy revealed that aluminum was the main ion released for Ti-6Al-4V, giving negligible values for the other metal ions.