Microstructure and in vitro bioactivity of laser-cladded bioceramic coating on titanium alloy in a simulated body fluid

Abstract In order to obtain bioactivity on the surface of titanium alloy, the bioceramic coating on Ti–6Al–4V was designed and fabricated by laser cladding. The microstructure and bioactivity of laser-cladded bioceramic coating were investigated in vitro via soaking in a simulated body fluid (SBF). The results indicated that the laser-cladded bioceramic coating was metallurgically bonded to the substrate and contained such bioactive phases as hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). A bone-like apatite layer was spontaneously formed on the surface of laser-cladded coating merely soaked in SBF for 7 days. And the appearance of flake-like and cotton-like morphology, which is the characteristic morphology of apatite, offered an advantageous condition for osseo-connection. The formation ability of apatite was remarkably accelerated on the surface of laser-cladded bioceramic coating compared with the untreated titanium alloy substrate.