Adhesion of sol-gel derived hydroxyapatite nanocoatings on anodised pure titanium and titanium (Ti6Al4V) alloy substrates

Abstract The mechanical properties and adhesion behaviour of sol–gel derived hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocoatings on commercially pure (cp) titanium (Ti) and Ti6Al4V alloy have been determined and related to anodising treatment. The surface roughness, wetting and coating characteristics were examined using profilometry, contact angle, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Nano-indentation was used to determine the Young's modulus and hardness of the coatings, while microtensile tests were used to introduce controlled strains in the coatings through the cp Ti and TiAl6V4 alloy substrates, from which the strength, fracture toughness and adhesion behaviour could be ascertained based on multiple cracking and delamination events. The toughness of the HA coatings is found to be slightly lower to that of equivalent bulk pure HA ceramics. The substrate and the anodized layer thickness have the most influence on the interfacial adhesion of HA, with nanocoatings on Ti6Al4V exhibiting superior interfacial bonding in comparison to cp Ti.