Morphologic variation in plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite-bioactive glass composite coatings in Hank's solution.

Pure hydroxyapatite (HA), pure bioactive glass (BG), and a new series of (HA/BG) composite coatings were plasma-sprayed onto a commercial Ti6A14V substrate. Changes in morphology and phases of these coatings after immersion in Hank's physiologic solution were investigated using XRD and SEM. Results indicated that the as-sprayed BG coating has an essentially amorphous structure with a very rough surface. After 7 days of immersion, the BG surface started to dissolve, and weak XRD peaks of apatite started to develop. Small amounts of CaO, beta-TCP, Ca4P2O5, as well as a glassy film, were found on the as-sprayed pure HA surface, most of which dissolved in 7 days. The XRD intensity of apatite in pure HA slowly increased with immersion time until, on the 10th day, the intensity started to drop, and 10 days later, the intensity rose again. This undiscovered "drop and rise" phenomenon was observed for the HA/BG composite coatings in an even more dramatic way. The presence of HA accelerates the dissolution of bioactive glass.