Title: Microstructure, bioactivity and wear resistance of sintered composite Co-Cr-Mo/Bioglass® for medical implant applications

Authors: Feng Cai; Colin Miyata; Xiao Huang; Qi Yang

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, 3135 Mackenzie, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada ' Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, 3135 Mackenzie, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada ' Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, 3135 Mackenzie, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada ' Structures and Materials Performance Laboratory, Aerospace Portfolio, National Research Council Canada, Building M-3, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada

Abstract: A sintered Co-Cr-Mo/Bioglass® composite coating, developed for medical implant application, is examined and compared to plasma-sprayed and sintered monolithic Co-Cr-Mo coatings. In addition to microstructure and wear resistance analysis, the bioactivities and corrosion behaviours of various coatings are assessed using simulated body fluid (SBF) immersion. The sintered Co-Cr-Mo/Bioglass® composite and monolithic Co-Cr-Mo coatings have more porous structure than the plasma sprayed Co-Cr-Mo coating. Although the Co-Cr-Mo/ Bioglass® composite coating has adequate bonding between Co-Cr-Mo powder and glass particles, the wear resistance is lower than the plasma sprayed Co-Cr-Mo and Stellite 21 substrate. After SBF immersion, calcium is present on the Co-Cr-Mo/Bioglass composite coating, but not on the Co-Cr-Mo coating. It indicates the formation of an apatite layer on the Co-Cr- Mo/Bioglass composite coating and potentially better bioactivity than the monolithic coatings.

Keywords: plasma spraying; sintering; sintered composites; microhardness; bioactivity; microstructure; medical implants; composite coatings; chromium; molybdenum; cobalt; Bioglass; corrosion behaviour.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSURFSE.2014.060500

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 2014 Vol.8 No.2/3, pp.264 - 281

Received: 05 Apr 2013
Accepted: 29 Oct 2013
Published online: 17 May 2014 *

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