Electrophoretic Deposition, Microstructure, and Corrosion Resistance of Porous Sol–Gel Glass/Polyetheretherketone Coatings on the Ti-13Nb-13Zr Alloy

Abstract

In this study, microporous composite sol–gel glass/polyetheretherketone (SGG/PEEK) coatings were produced on the Ti-13Nb-13Zr titanium alloy by electrophoretic deposition. Coatings with different levels of high open porosity were developed by introducing SGG particles of varying diameters into the PEEK matrix. The microstructure of the coatings was characterized by electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The coatings with 40-50 µm thickness were composed of semicrystalline SGG particles consisting of hydroxyapatite, CaSiO3, some Ca2SiO4, and an amorphous phase containing Ca, Si, P, and O, homogeneously embedded in a semicrystalline PEEK matrix. The size of SGG particles present in the coatings strongly influenced the formation of microcracks and their adhesion to the underlying substrate. Microscratch tests showed that the coating containing SGG particles with a diameter smaller than 45 µm and open porosity of 45 pct exhibited good adhesion to the titanium alloy substrate, much better than the coating containing particles with a diameter smaller than 85 µm and total open porosity equal to 48 pct. The corrosion resistance was investigated in Ringer’s solution at a temperature of 310 K (37 °C) for a pH equal to 7.4 and in deaerated solutions with the use of open-circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The SGG/PEEK-coated alloy indicated better electrochemical corrosion resistance compared with the uncoated alloy.