Comparative Evaluation of the Bioactive Behavior of HA and ZrO<sub>2</sub> Reinforced Coatings

Abstract

The clinical use of plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on metal implants has been widely investigated as the HA coating can achieve the firm and direct biological fixation with the surrounding bone tissue. It is shown in previous studies that the mechanical properties of HA coatings are improved by the addition of ZrO2 particles during the deposition of the coating on the substrate. Subsequently, the cohesive and adhesive strengths of plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings were strengthened by the ZrO2 particles addition as a reinforcing agent in the HA coating (HA+ZrO2 composite coating). The aim of the present work is to investigate and evaluate the in vitro bioactivity assessment of HA and HA/ZrO2 coatings, on stainless steel substrate, soaked in c-SBF, in order to study and compare their biological responses. The coatings were produced using vapor plasma spraying (VPS). The characterization of the surface of the coatings before and after soaking in SBF solution was performed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction analysis (XRD). All samples were smoothed before insertion in the medium and the in vitro bioactivity of all coating samples was tested in conventional Simulated Body Fluid (c-SBF) solution for various immersion times.