The corrosion behavior of NiTi alloy in fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 37 degrees C is investigated using open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The presence of FBS moves the OCP to the negative direction and makes the oxide film thinner and more porous than that in phosphate buffer saline (PBS, pH = 7.4). The impedance of the oxide film formed in FBS is smaller than that in PBS, but the total interface impedance is bigger in FBS because of the formation of a surface bio-film. Pits form on the NiTi alloy after immersion in FBS for 200 h but they are not observed on the sample immersed in PBS. XPS shows that the composition of the oxide film formed in FBS is similar to that formed in PBS and it is composed of mainly Ti oxides with a small amount of Ti hydroxide. Hydrated Ti is observed on the outermost surface of the NiTi alloy. The thickness of the oxide film on the NiTi alloy immersed in PBS is 17 +/- 3.0 nm and that on the sample immersed in FBS is 10 +/- 3.2 nm. The results are consistent with those obtained by EIS. The presence of FBS can accelerate leaching of Ni ions and the mechanism is investigated and discussed. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.