Microstructures, hardness and bioactivity of hydroxyapatite coatings deposited by direct laser melting process

Monnamme Tlotleng; Esther Akinlabi; Mukul Shukla; Sisa Pityana

doi:10.1016/j.msec.2014.06.032

Microstructures, hardness and bioactivity of hydroxyapatite coatings deposited by direct laser melting process

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2014 Oct:43:189-98. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2014.06.032. Epub 2014 Jul 9.

Authors

Monnamme Tlotleng¹, Esther Akinlabi², Mukul Shukla³, Sisa Pityana⁴

Affiliations

¹ Laser Materials Processing Group, National Laser Center CSIR, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Kingsway Campus, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa. Electronic address: MTlotleng@csir.co.za.
² Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Kingsway Campus, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa; Department of Mechanical Engineering, MNNIT, Allahabad, UP 211004, India.
⁴ Laser Materials Processing Group, National Laser Center CSIR, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.

PMID: 25175204
DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2014.06.032

Abstract

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) coatings on bioinert metals such as Ti-6Al-4V are necessary for biomedical applications. Together, HAP and Ti-6Al-4V are biocompatible and bioactive. The challenges of depositing HAP on Ti-6Al-4V with traditional thermal spraying techniques are well founded. In this paper, HAP was coated on Ti-6Al-4V using direct laser melting (DLM) process. This process, unlike the traditional coating processes, is able to achieve coatings with good metallurgical bonding and little dilution. The microstructural and mechanical properties, chemical composition and bio-activities of the produced coatings were studied with optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Vickers hardness machine, and by immersion test in Hanks' solution. The results showed that the choice of the laser power has much influence on the evolving microstructure, the mechanical properties and the retainment of HAP on the surface of the coating. Also, the choice of laser power of 750 W led to no dilution. The microhardness results inferred a strong intermetallic-ceramic interfacial bonding; which meant that the 750 W coating could survive long in service. Also, the coating was softer at the surface and stronger in the heat affected zones. Hence, this process parameter setting can be considered as an optimal setting. The soak tests revealed that the surface of the coating had unmelted crystals of HAP. The CaP ratio conducted on the soaked coating was 2.00 which corresponded to tetra calcium phosphate. This coating seems attractive for metallic implant applications.

Keywords: Direct laser melting; Hydroxyapatite (HAP); Laser power; Powder beds and polyvinyl alcohol; Ti–6Al–4V.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Coated Materials, Biocompatible*
Durapatite / chemistry*
Lasers*
Materials Testing
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Molecular Structure

Substances

Coated Materials, Biocompatible
Durapatite