Characterization of bioactive glass-PEEK coatings obtained by CGS
PEEK emerged as an ideal candidate to replace the metal components of implants. This biomaterial is biocompatible, chemically and physically stable and has an elastic modulus similar to that of the cortical bone, which makes it very attractive for orthopedic applications. PEEK has already established in some applications such as spacers and spinal fixations or cranial reconstructions.
Cold gas spray (CGS) shows great potential for the preparation of coatings from bioactive materials to improve bone-implant interaction when implanted in vivo.
In the present study, PEEK substrates have been coated with different blends of bioactive glass and PEEK by cold spraying. The coatings have been observed by means of scanning electron microscopy to analyze the distribution of the different components of the coating. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the coatings on the substrate have been quantified. To evaluate the improvement in the bioactivity provided by the coatings, two tests have been carried out, one of degradation in Tris-HCl solution and the other in Hank's solution that allows determining the growth of the apatite layer on the coating.