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Amorphous phase and morphological structure of hydroxyapatite plasma coatings
1General Physics Department, Physics Faculty, Kharkov State University, Ukraine.
Biomaterials
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Plasma spraying hydroxyapatite results in a porous structure with both crystalline and amorphous phases. Vacuum heating converts the amorphous phase, yielding fully crystalline hydroxyapatite coatings.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Hydroxyapatite coatings are crucial for biomedical implants due to their biocompatibility.
- Plasma spraying is a common technique for applying hydroxyapatite coatings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microstructural evolution of hydroxyapatite coatings during plasma spraying.
- To determine the effect of post-deposition vacuum heating on the phase composition of the coatings.
Main Methods:
- Plasma spraying of hydroxyapatite powder onto a substrate.
- Microstructural analysis of the deposited coating.
- Vacuum heating of the coating at 630°C.
- Phase analysis of the coating before and after heating.
Main Results:
- Hydroxyapatite particles reach the substrate as molten drops, splattering and solidifying into pancake-globular structures.
- The solidified coating contains both crystalline hydroxyapatite and amorphous (supercooled molten) hydroxyapatite.
- Brief vacuum heating at 630°C completely crystallizes the amorphous phase, resulting in fully crystalline hydroxyapatite coatings.
Conclusions:
- The plasma spraying process inherently creates a coating with a mixed crystalline-amorphous phase.
- Post-deposition vacuum heat treatment is an effective method to achieve fully crystalline hydroxyapatite coatings, potentially improving their properties.