Fabrication of TC4/TiCp New Hip Prosthesis by Laser Cladding

Abstract

Artificial hip prostheses are commonly utilized in total hip replacement surgeries. However, current single materials like metal, polyethylene, and ceramic do not satisfy the comprehensive performance requirements of prostheses, such as biocompatibility, wear resistance, and toughness. To address these limitations, a new metal–ceramic hip prosthesis which can be prepared by laser cladding technique is proposed. By combining the advantages of metal and ceramic, this prosthesis aims to overcome existing product limitations. A TiCp bioceramic coating is prepared on the TC4 surface, and its microstructure, mechanical properties, and biological characteristics are systematically analyzed. The results show that the TiCp phase is uniformly distributed in the coating. Additionally, dendritic TiCp at the bonding interface results in metallurgical bond between the coating and substrate. The α‐Ti phase in the matrix of the TiCp coating helps to enhance its fracture toughness and fatigue strength, while the solid solution of trace C elements in the matrix provides solid solution strengthening. Mechanical tests reveal that the microhardness of the TiCp coating is 2.5 times greater than that of the substrate, and the wear mass is reduced by 89.4%. Finally, the TiCp bioceramic coating is verified to be biocompatible, demonstrating excellent potential for use in hip prostheses.