Characterization of hydroxyapatite coatings produced by pulsed-laser deposition on additive manufacturing Ti6Al4V ELI

Additive manufacturing is a disruptive technology that has changed the design of bone implants for clinical applications. In this work, the effect of the deposition energy parameter on the mechanical properties and surface microscopy of Ti6Al4V alloy substrates manufactured by electron beam melting and coated with hydroxyapatite deposited by the pulsed laser technique was investigated. The average hardness and microhardness values were obtained under microindentation and indentation tests. The morphology and chemistry of the substrate coating were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, obtaining average values of the size of the coating particles. Results indicate that high incident energy values yield a more homogeneous morphology, with smaller grain size and higher hardness values. The chemical composition indicates a hydroxyapatite coating with good stoichiometry.

Automated summary

The study found that high incident energy values result in a more homogeneous morphology and higher hardness values, with the chemical composition indicating good stoichiometry.