Hydroxyapatite coatings by electrophoretic deposition on blasted titanium sheets

This paper discusses the use of an alternative process to coat titanium sheets. Commercially pure titanium sheets were submitted to mechanical blasting followed by an acid etch with solution containing hydrofluoric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Coatings were produced using hydroxyapatite with two Ca/P ratios by electrophoresis. Coatings were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Results show that the electrophoretic process can produce an uniform thin layer, satisfactorily adhered to the metallic surface. Moreover, sintering of the coated titanium sheets at 800degreesC improve adhesion and do not promote the decomposition of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite.