Preparation and Properties of Multilayer Ca/P Bio-Ceramic Coating by Laser Cladding

Abstract

In order to enhance the bioactivity and wear resistance of titanium (Ti) and its alloy for use as an implant surface, a multilayer Ca/P (calcium/phosphorus) bio-ceramic coating on a Ti6Al4V alloy surface was designed and prepared by a laser cladding technique, using the mixture of hydroxyapatite (HA) powder and Ti powder as a cladding precursor. The main cladding process parameters were 400 W laser power, 3 mm/s scanning speed, 2 mm spot diameter and 30% lapping rate. When the Ca/P ceramic coating was immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF), ion exchange occurred between the coating and the immersion solution, and hydroxyapatite (HA) was induced and deposited on its surface, which indicated that the Ca/P bio-ceramic coating had good bioactivity. The volume wear of Ca/P ceramic coating was reduced by 43.2% compared with that of Ti6Al4V alloy by the pin-disc wear test, which indicated that the Ca/P bio-ceramic coating had better wear resistance.