Experimental Investigation of Plasma Sprayed HA (Hydroxyapatite)/Al_2O_3/Fe_2O_3 composites coated metallic implants

摘要

This study is mainly concerned with the synthesis of bio ceramic composite coating of HA (Hydroxyapatite) reinforced with Aluminium oxide and Iron oxide on SS 316L metallic substrates. These bio composite coatings are obtained by plasma spray technique. The microstructures, phase characterization, hardness and bioactivity of the coatings were investigated. XRD, SEM and EDS were used to examine the microstructures of the coatings. In the present work, tribological behaviour of plasma sprayed HA (Hydroxyapatite)/Al_2O_3/Fe_2O_3 composite coatings were investigated using POD (pin on disc) type dry sliding wear testing equipment. The micro-hardness of coatings was also investigated. The apatite induction ability of fabricated bio coatings was evaluated in simulated body fluids (SBF) which possess ion concentrations similar to that of human blood plasma. Various phases were observed in the plasma sprayed coatings. The decomposition of HA during plasma spray resulted in the formation of new phase TCP. Dry sliding wear loss of HA-20A-40F is better than the wear loss offered by other coatings at 3N, 4N and 5N load for similar testing conditions.