Low-pressure plasma-sprayed (LPPS) bioceramic coatings with improved adhesion strength and resorption resistance

Prespray annealing of commercially available hydroxyapatite (HAp) plasma-spray powder at 1300 °C for 1 h in air leads to substantial densification without noticeable thermal decomposition. The resulting HAp coatings, low-pressure plasma sprayed onto Ti-6A1-4V substrates, show a dense microstructure, im-proved adhesion strength, and higher résorption resistance when treated for 7 days in simulated body fluid (Hank’s balanced salt solution).