THERMAL AND OPTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CALCIUM-PHOSPHATE BIOMATERIAL HYDROXYAPATITE

Thermal wave interferometry (TWI) has been used to measure the thermop hysical properties of hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings, prepared by the pl asma-spraying process on titanium alloy substrates. The properties mea sured were thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, thermal effusivi ty, and volumetric heat capacity and the optical absorption coefficien t. The thermal conductivity obtained was found to be of similar magnit ude to that of human tooth enamel. The results presented confirm the u sefulness of TWI as a nondestructive technique for the characterizatio n of plasma-sprayed HA coatings. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physic s.