PLASMA-SPRAYED HYDROXY APATITE COATINGS

This paper describes the method of producing plasma sprayed coatings o f hydroxy apatite (HA) on metallic substrates of Ti-6Al-4V. Hydroxy ap atite is a material which has similar composition to that of the miner al phase of the human bone. Poor mechanical properties however inhibit s its use in the load bearing applications. The powders prepared in ou r laboratory are sprayed using a plasma spray torch operating in ambie nt. The deposited coatings are characterized by X-ray diffraction and found to retain HA in the coatings as per requirements.