Studies on a novel bioactive glass and composite coating with hydroxyapatite on titanium based alloys: Effect of γ-sterilization on coating

A novel silicate based bioactive glass coating composition containing B2O3 and TiO2 having matching thermal properties with that of Ti6Al4 V implants was developed and characterized. A conventional vitreous enamelling technique was used for coating small flat surface and curved surface of small rods. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) micro and nano-crystalline particles were used to prepare bioactive glass-HAp composite coating. Scratch testing was used to study the coating adhesion and its fracture behaviour under simulated conditions. As observed from scratch testing results, adhesion strength of the coating improved from 21 N normal load to 27 N and 32 N on addition of micro-HAp and nano HAp powder, respectively, to bioactive glass matrix. Further, sterilization of the coated samples with 25 kGy gamma irradiation substantially enhanced the adhesion of glass coating and HAp-composite coating. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.