Pure hydroxyapatite (HA), pure bioactive glass (BG), and a new series of (HA/BG) composite coatings were plasma-sprayed onto a commercial Ti6A14V substrate. Changes in morphology and phases of these coatings after immersion in Hank's physiologic solution were investigated using XRD and SEM. Results indicated that the as-sprayed BG coating has an essentially amorphous structure with a very rough surface. After 7 days of immersion, the BG surface started to dissolve, and weak XRD peaks of apatite started to develop. Small amounts of CaO, beta-TCP, Ca4P2O5, as well as a glassy film, were found on the as-sprayed pure HA surface, most of which dissolved in 7 days. The XRD intensity of apatite in pure HA slowly increased with immersion time until, on the 10th day, the intensity started to drop, and 10 days later, the intensity rose again. This undiscovered "drop and rise" phenomenon was observed for the HA/BG composite coatings in an even more dramatic way. The presence of HA accelerates the dissolution of bioactive glass.
Hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated Ti6AI4V has recently been used as a bone substitute in orthopaedic and dental applications because of its favourable bioactivity and mechanical properties. Studies in the literature have shown that the bioactivity of calcium phosphate bioactive glass (BG) is higher than that of HA. In an attempt to increase the bioactivity of Ha-coated Ti6AI4V and enhance the bonding strength between coating and substrate, in the present study, HA/BG composites are applied onto Ti6AI4V using a plasma spraying technique. Microstructure and phase changes of the composite coatings after plasma spraying are studied. The coating-substrate bonding strength is evaluated using an Instron, following the ASTM C633 method. Results indicate that the average bonding strengths of BG, HA/BG and HA coatings are 33.0 _+ 4.3, 39.1 -t-5.0, and 52.0 4-11.7 MPa, respectively. Open pores with sizes up to 50 pm are found in both BG and HA/BG coatings, which are probably advantageous in including mechanical interlocking with the surrounding bone structure, once implanted. These HA/BG composites could provide a coating system with sufficient bonding strength, higher bioactivity, and a significant reduction in cost in raw materials. The future of this HA/BG composite coating system seems pretty bright.
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