Coating process and early stage adhesion evaluation of poly(2-hydroxy-ethyl-methacrylate) hydrogel coating of 316L steel surface for stent applications

In this study, a spray-coating method has been set up with the aim to control the coating of poly (2-hydroxy-ethyl-methacrylate) (pHEMA), an hydrophilic polymeric hydrogel, onto the complex surface of a 316L steel stent for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). By varying process parameters, tuneable thicknesses, from 5 to 20 mu m, have been obtained with uniform and homogeneous surface without crack or bridges. Surface characteristics of pHEMA coating onto metal surface have been investigated through FTIR-ATR, contact angle measurement, SEM, EDS and AFM. Moreover, results from Single-Lap-Joint and Pull-Off adhesion tests as well as calorimetric analysis of glass transition temperature suggested that pHEMA deposition is firmly adhered on metallic surface. The pHEMA coating evaluation of roughness, wettability together with its morphological and chemical stability after three cycles of expansion-crimping along with preliminary results after 6 months demonstrates the suitability of the coating for surgical implantation of stent.