3D characterization of open porous vacuum plasma sprayed titanium coatings by means of high resolution micro computer tomography

Open porous Ti coatings were applied by vacuum plasma spraying. The overall porosity was determined by light microscopy on cross-section cuts as well as micro computer tomography (mu-CT). mu-CT was additionally used on detached coatings to characterize pore size and interconnectivity as well as the sinter necks between individual Ti particles, as these are important factors for biomedical applications (tissue ingrowth) and coating integrity. The mu-CT measurements with a resolution of 5 mu m voxels and the subsequent data treatment showed an excellent pore connectivity and yielded an average pore size of similar to 80-140 mu m, pore connection diameter of similar to 50 mu m, and Ti sinter neck diameter of similar to 30-40 mu m. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.