Development of HAp based Surface Coatings on 3D printed Titanium Bio implants for enhanced Functionality

Abstract

Metallic materials such as stainless steel, titanium, magnesium etc. serve a great deal in biomedical applications due to specific desired properties mimicking to human anatomy in terms of hard tissues. Of these materials titanium based alloys are the most preferred materials in orthopaedics and dentistry owing to their superior mechanical properties, biocompatibility and corrosion resistance when compared to stainless steel based alloys. But, these materials lack in certain characteristic properties, which makes them unable to be bioactive in nature. For this, metallic biomaterials are treated to inculcate various functional properties in them. Most common of these techniques is by surface coating using bioactive materials like hydroxyapatite (HAp). Alone HAp as well as HAp based composite coatings find significant application in improving biomedical properties of metallic materials. But, HAp in its purest form is a poor anti-microbial agent which may lead to formation of puss cells, loosening of implants and ultimately patient has to be re-operated for the same. Few more issues that are associated with use of pure HAp are poor bone formation enhancement as well as poor adhesion properties as stated by various researchers. newline