SURFACE-INDUCED MINERALIZATION - A NEW METHOD FOR PRODUCING CALCIUM-PHOSPHATE COATINGS

Calcium phosphate coatings were nucleated and grown from aqueous solut ion onto titanium metal substrates via surface-induced mineralization (SIM) processing techniques. This process is based on the observation that in nature organisms use biopolymers to produce ceramic composites , such as teeth, bones, and shells. The SIM process involves modificat ion of a surface to introduce surface functionalization followed by im mersion in aqueous supersaturated calcium phosphate solutions. This lo w-temperature process (< 100 degrees C) has advantages over convention al methods of calcium phosphate deposition in that uniform coatings ar e produced onto complex-shaped and/or microporous samples. Additionall y, because it is a low-temperature process, control of the phase and c rystallinity of the deposited material can be maintained. (C) 1996 Joh n Wiley & Sons, Inc.