In this study we examine the potential for using brushite (dicalcium phosphate dihydrate) as a coating for orthopedic implants. It was found that brushite is transformed into a more stable calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite), regardless of the aqueous transforming media utilized. The transformation was carried out at room temperature in deionized water, deionized water with added calcium ions, and modified Hank's type solution without calcium and magnesium ions, modified Hank's type solution with calcium and magnesium ions, and modified Hank's type solution with added calcium ions. In several of the transformation systems it was noted that brushite provided an increased amount of calcium ions to the transforming media through solubility. The process was monitored using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and dissolution studies. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy were also utilized for characterization. The brushite coatings can be easily achieved electrolytically on conducting substrates. The process is non line of sight, simple, and inexpensive; and when using an electrolyte that can sustain currents of approximately 100 mA/cm2, the necessary coating can be completed in about 3 min.

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Brushite (CaHPO(4) x 2H(2)O) is a precursor to hydroxyapatite [HA, Ca(5)(PO(4))(3)OH]. It has been shown that a modified form of brushite, with potassium substituting for calcium at specific sites, demonstrated accelerated transformation to HA when exposed to nonproteinaceous Hanks' balanced aqueous salt solutions (HBSS). The biocompatibility of a transforming material is related to cellular response to the process, which is initiated by protein adsorption. The effect of adsorbed protein on the kinetics and chemistry of brushite transformation to HA, when exposed to HBSS containing bovine serum albumin (BSA), was examined using Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive spectrometry techniques. The effect of solution pH was also studied. Results show that, in the presence of a protein-free environment, transformation is faster in buffered medium than in nonbuffered medium. Moreover, curve fitting and second derivatives of the IR spectra show that some bands shift depending on whether the brushite transforms in a buffered or nonbuffered medium. Therefore, variation in pH affects both transformation rate and the associated chemistry. The presence of BSA in either buffered or nonbuffered medium retards the transformation in comparison to the corresponding BSA-free medium. The extent of this retardation increases with the increase in bulk concentration of BSA but does not alter the transformation chemistry. This suggests the retardation on the transformation rate is due to BSA adsorption coverage on the calcium phosphate ceramic. This may be due to the shielding of Ca(2+) and PO(4)(-3) sites, preventing their interaction with the HBSS.

Cobalt-chromium alloy was deposited from plating solutions containing cobalt(II) chloride and chromium(III) chloride at 3.5 pH. The deposits were obtained using both single and mixed complex solutions. Deposit morphology showed significant dependence on the complexing agent(s), used. Partitioning of the two components in the deposit as determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy depended on plating parameters such as concentration ratio of the two salts in the solution, complexing agent, type of current (both dc and pulsed current were studied), and current density. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra collected from as-deposited alloy revealed the presence of both oxides and metals. X-ray diffraction spectra for the alloy deposit indicated solid solution formation.

Calcium phosphate coatings, important for medical implant applications can occur in several different phases. Because of differences in properties of these phases it is imperative to be able to identify their presence in a substrate's coating. In this study we characterized hydroxy apatite (HA) surfaces applied by four different coating procedures. Included were plasma sprayed, sputtered, a composite, and a composite overlayed with plasma sprayed. It was found that a combination of reflectance infrared and Raman spectroscopy could be utilized to make an in situ characterization of the calcium phosphate phases. It was shown that plasma sprayed and sputtered coatings of HA lost OH and thus decreased in crystallinity, while composite coatings remained unchanged from the original HA powder.

Codeposition of particles and metals was studied under low-gravity conditions. Ni−diamond and Co−chromium carbide coatings were investigated. Experiments were run aboard two sounding rockets, each providing 7 min of 10-4 g, and one shuttle mission providing 4 h of deposition. Reduced gravity proved to eliminate sedimentation and edge effects and promote easier particle dispersion in the electrolyte, yielding uniformly distributed particles in the metal matrix. Large nonconducting diamond particles were codeposited in higher volume percents as opposed to bench experiments. The trend was opposite for particles of ≤1 μm size with fine chromium carbide particles depositing in higher volume percent in 1g than low g.

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