Composition and Crystallization of Hydroxyapatite Coating Layer Formed by Electron Beam Deposition

Abstract

To improve the biocompatibility of Ti-based metal implants, a hydroxyapatite (HA) coating layer was formed on the surface by electron-beam deposition. The dissolution rate of the coating layer was strongly dependent on the layer's calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio. Layers with a Ca/P ratio close to that of crystalline HA (Ca/P = 1.67) showed good stability in a physiologic saline solution. When the layer was crystallized by heat treatment in air at temperatures between 400° and 500°C, the stability was enhanced further while maintaining good interfacial bonding strength with the substrate. Preliminary in vivotests on rabbits indicated that heat treatment and the resultant enhancement in stability are beneficial for bone attachment to the implants