Pulsed laser treatment of plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings.

Plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings have complex microstructures. There are often variations in phase, structure and chemical composition among the starting material and coating. Some of these changes may not be acceptable for biomedical applications. Attaining all the requirements for a functional coating in a single spraying process is not easily achieved. Additional post-treatment may be necessary. This study examines the use of a pulsed laser to enhance the coating characteristics of plasma-sprayed HA coatings. Preliminary results show the laser-treated coatings having a modified microstructure with crack networks and pores in the size range 5-30 microns. The pores and cracks were quantified by an image analyser. The crack network is less significant in coatings that are treated at lower energy intensity and this could be interesting in that the laser can be used to alter the surface phase composition as well as the morphology. However, repetitive passes with the pulsed laser did not help to seal the cracks that formed.