Investigations of microstructure and properties in bioceramic coatings used in medicine

Abstract

Metallic materials such as titanium and titanium alloy generally show good mechanical properties but their biocompatibility is limited. Hydroxyapatite is a well-know bioceramics that is extensively used in medicine. Due to its reasonable mechanical behaviour under low-load conditions and excellent biocompatibility, combined with slow replacement by the host bone after implantation, this compound is commonly used as a coating for hip prostheses and implants. In order to manufacture implants which combine improved mechanical properties of metallic material with biotolerance of ceramics, hydroxyapatite coatings are applied. Principal object this paper were the plasma sprayed coatings (deposited on titanium Ti6A14VELI alloy) treated by laser remelting. The morphology, topography, element analysis, phases and mechanical properties of both sprayed and alloyed coating were analyzed.