Microstructure and properties of plasma-sprayed bio-coatings on a low-modulus titanium alloy from milled HA/Ti powders

New composite hydroxyapatite/titanium (HA/Ti) coatings were fabricated by plasma spraying on Ti–24Nb–4Zr–7.9Sn alloy from milled precursor powders. The microstructures, mechanical properties and apatite-induction abilities of the coatings were investigated, and the influences of the initial HA/Ti ratios on microstructure and properties were highlighted. XRD, SEM and TEM were used to analyze the microstructures of the coatings. The micro-hardness and elastic modulus were determined by indentation tests and the bond strength was determined by tensile tests. The apatite-induction ability of the coatings was evaluated in simulated body fluid (SBF) with ion concentrations similar to those of human blood plasma. The results showed that the microstructure, mechanical properties and apatite-induction ability were dependent on the HA/Ti ratios of the original powders. The mechanical properties increased, and the apatite-induction ability decreased with increasing Ti content. Various chemical reactions occurred during the preparation of the coatings, including the decomposition of HA, the reaction between HA and Ti and the oxidization of Ti, which resulted in the formation of new phases, such as CaTiO₃, Ca₃(PO₄)₂, TiP_x and titanium oxides in the different coatings. These new phases play an important role for the mechanical properties and the apatite-induction ability of the coatings.