Tribological properties of hydroxyapatite-coated nanorods on Ti-6Al-4V surfaces
Sarah Akua Osafo, Tabiri Kwayie Asumadu, Desmond Klenam, Precious Osayamen Etinosa, John D. Obayemi, Benjamin Agyei‐Tuffour, Abu Yaya, David Dodoo‐Arhin, S. C. Eluu, W. O. Soboyejo
Abstract
This paper presents the tribological properties and bioactivity of nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HA) from biowaste sources and coated onto Ti-6Al-4V substrates using a novel pack cementation method. The process introduced HA pillars/nanorods on the surfaces of Ti-6Al-4V to enhance their osseointegration for dental implants. The mechanical and tribological properties were studied with nanoindentation, and pin-on-disk techniques, following the microstructural characterization of the coatings with atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The study also examines the surface bioactivity and elucidates the underlying friction and wear mechanisms of the HA-coated and annealed Ti-6Al-4V surface. The study results show a bone bonding capacity of the biowaste-derived HA-coated substrate with improved hardness and tribological properties. The implications of the study are discussed for the development of nano-structured HA-coated Ti-6Al-4V for dental implants with improved osseointegration for dental and biomedical applications.