Plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings on carbon/carbon composites

Carbon fiber reinforced carbon composites (C/C composites) are candidate materials for loaded human bones because of their excellent biocompatibility, as well as appropriate elastic modulus similar to that of human cortical bone. A simple plasma spraying method was used to coat hydroxyapatite (HA) on C/C composite substrates to endow surface bioactivity. The microstructure and composition of the plasma-sprayed HA coatings before and after heat treatment have been examined by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. A stronger adhesive interface between the HA coating and C/C substrate was also analyzed by cross-sectional observation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.