Sintering atmosphere and temperature effects on hydroxyapatite coated type 316L stainless steel

Abstract Electrophoretically deposited hydroxyapatite (HAP) coatings on type 316L SS was developed at the optimum coating parameters of 60 V and 3 min. Sintering of the coating enhances the metal–ceramic bond strength, but HAP structure is sensitive to temperature as it decomposes to other calcium phosphate phases. Sintering of HAP coatings in air at 900 °C for 1 h indicate the formation of a composite surface containing oxides of the alloy and decomposition products of HAP, mainly tricalcium phosphate. Open circuit potential–time measurements, potentiodynamic cyclic polarisation and electrochemical impedance experiments performed in Ringer’s solution indicate that the corrosion performance of HAP coatings were severely affected by the sintering atmosphere and temperature. Higher capacitance and low polarisation resistance values obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopic studies further indicate that the coatings are more prone to dissolution on comparison with the pristine type 316L SS. The sintering of the coatings in vacuum at 600, 800 and 900 °C for 1 h did not alter the phase purity of the coatings, and shifted the electrochemical parameters towards noble direction. Sintering of the coatings in vacuum lead to the formation of an adherent, stoichiometric HAP coating with enhanced corrosion resistance.