Tribological study of HAp/CTS coatings produced by electrodeposition process on 316L stainless steel

Abstract

Chitosan (CTS) is a biocompatible, bio-degradable, and bacterial copolymer that, combined with synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAp), is a good material option for orthopedic applications. In this regard, this work presents the tribological studies of three CTS/HAp composite coatings produced by an electrodeposition process at 15, 22.5, and 30 min of deposition time on 316L SS substrate. The coatings were formed by a CTS matrix with HAp particles with similar morphology for all the samples with incremental thickness as a function of deposition time. The coating presented a similar crystalline structure and the main vibrational mode of the CTS and HAp. The 30 min coating showed the best tribological properties, with a coefficient of friction value of 0.15 at 0.5 N and more stable friction force performance at 1 and 1.5 N load. Although this coating exhibited fractures, abrasion marks, and adhesion failure by the sliding-contact tests at 1 and 1.5 N, there is no remotion of the coating, thus protecting the substrate surfaces during all the test.