NiTi alloys are attractive materials that are used for medicine, however, Ni-release may cause allergic reactions in an organism. The Ni-release rate is strongly affected by the surface state of the NiTi alloy that is mainly determined by its processing route. In this study, a NiTi shape memory alloy ( 50.9 at.% Ni) was heat-treated by several regimes simulating the shape setting procedure, the last step in the manufacture of implants. Heating temperatures were between 500 and 550 degrees C and durations from 5 to 10 min. Heat treatments were performed in air at normal and low pressure and in a salt bath. The purpose of the treatments was to obtain and compare different surface states of the Ni-Ti alloy. The surface state and chemistry of heat-treated samples were investigated by electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectrometry. The amount of nickel released into a model physiological solution of pH 2 and into concentrated HCl was taken as a measure of the corrosion rate. It was found that the heat treatments produced surface TiO2 layers measuring 15-50nm in thickness that were depleted in nickel. The sample covered by the 15-nm thick oxide that was treated at 500 degrees C/5 min in a low pressure air showed the best corrosion performance in terms of Ni-release. As the oxide thickness increased, due to either temperature or oxygen activity change, Ni-release into the physiological solution accelerated. This finding is discussed in relation to the internal structure of the oxide layers. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.