Study on the morphological and mechanical properties of TaC reinforced plasma spray coating deposited on titanium alloy

Abstract

The biocompatible Hydroxyapatite (H.A.) coating is often placed on titanium alloy to aid in the healing process and insulate the implant from the hostile bodily environment. Plasma spray is one of the best techniques to coat H.A. on body implants per the Food and Drug Association (F.D.A.), U.S.A. However, the poor mechanical qualities of H.A. limit its use in orthopaedic applications that must bear weight, such as hip and knee joints. The present investigation studies the effect of the addition of reinforcement with H.A. on the microstructural and mechanical properties of plasma-sprayed coatings. Pure H.A. and reinforced HA-coated samples' surface morphology was investigated using a scanning electron microscope (S.E.M/EDAX). The results indicate that the coating has a homogenous dense microstructure with some un-melted and melted particles and tiny cracks. The addition of reinforcement enhances the microhardness and bond strength of the coating.