Study of the deposition of hydroxyapatite by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) in stainless steel AISI 316LVM samples

The tissue–prosthesis relationship is essential for the success of an implant. Aiming at higher levels of affinity between the implant and the human body, engineering focuses on studies on ceramic coating processes, surface modifications, and the search for new materials. Much research has been done on the coating of metal surfaces with Hydroxyapatite due to its similar mechanical characteristics and biocompatibility to human bone. Through the technique of Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) is possibly formed a ceramic film on metallics subtract, and in case of implants improved the life of the biocompatibility of the implants, the increase of the useful life and the decrease of the processes rejection or adverse reactions. Thus, the given work sought to study the influence of some variables of the PEO process in the formation of a Hydroxyapatite coating on AISI 316 LVM steel surfaces. For this purpose, variations of the treatment time (15.30, 60, and 90 s), the behavior of the electric current over time, and the treatment polarity were studied. As a result, the XRF, EDS, and SEM-FEG analyses showed that it was possible to successfully produce the coating, which can present varying thickness, porosity, topography, and percentage of the hydroxyapatite basics components (Ca and P) according to the treatment variables. © 2022 The Author(s)