Development of Bioglass/PEEK Composite Coating by Cold Gas Spray for Orthopedic Implants

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Materials Science
• Orthopedic Implant Technology

Background:

• Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a biocompatible polymer widely used in orthopedic implants.
• PEEK's bioinert nature can limit bone-implant integration.
• Bioactive glasses, such as 45S5, promote bone regeneration and osseointegration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel biofunctional coatings for PEEK substrates using cold gas spray (CGS).
• To incorporate bioactive glass 45S5 into a PEEK matrix to enhance bone-implant interaction.
• To evaluate the effect of powder characteristics and composition on coating properties and performance.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of 45S5/PEEK powder blends with varying granulometry and ratios.
• Deposition of coatings onto PEEK substrates using cold gas spray (CGS) technology.
• Characterization of coatings using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and evaluation of deposition efficiency (DE).
• Analysis of friction and wear behavior using ball-on-disk tests.

Main Results:

• Deposition efficiency (DE) was significantly influenced by powder granulometry and the 45S5/PEEK ratio.
• Coatings with a high 45S5/PEEK ratio exhibited a higher content of bioactive glass.
• The presence of glass particles in the coatings beneficially impacted wear resistance.

Conclusions:

• Cold gas spray is effective for creating biofunctional 45S5/PEEK composite coatings.
• Optimizing powder characteristics and composition is crucial for achieving desired coating properties.
• These biofunctional coatings show promise for improving the performance of PEEK-based orthopedic implants.