The Co-based special wire alloys 35N LT and MP35N are used for biomedical applications. The corrosion resistance of the two alloys, chemical passivation, and metal release of 35N LT were studied by electrochemical measurements, surface analysis, and solution analysis. The results show no significant difference in the corrosion resistance between 35N LT and MP35N. Preferential dissolution of Co and Ni occurs during chemical passivation of 35N LT in an HNO3 solution, which results in enrichment of oxidized Cr and depletion of oxidized Co in the passive film. The passivation treatment leads to an increased corrosion resistance in a phosphate-buffered saline solution, even with addition of 100 mM H2O2 simulating an inflammatory response. A further effect of the passivation treatment is a significantly reduced metal release, especially Co, from 35N LT during exposure to the synthetic biological medium. (c) 2007 The Electrochemical Society.