Can the Sulzer Mectco DJ Air-Cooled HVOF Thermal Spray Be Used to Produce Bio Ceramics HA Coatings?

The HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel) thermal spray process is reported to be a versatile technology and has been adopted by many industries due to its flexibility, cost effectiveness and the superior quality of coating produced. To date, the only reliable method of applying Hydroxyapatite [Ca₁₀ (PO₄)₆(OH) ₂] HA coatings to metallic implants is via using atmospheric plasma thermal spraying as a substitute for biological tissues applied onto femoral implants to aid inter-connectivity between the implant and the biological tissue bone. However HVOF has the potential to also produce HA coatings which based on other sprayed materials, this technique should offer mechanical and biological results far superior to that of plasma spray. This research aims to identify this problem, by depositing bioceramic coatings using the HVOF process and comparing this to current HA Plasma sprayed mechanical and biological properties.