Materials Science Forum, Vol.426-4, 2509-2514, 2003
Electrolytic Al2O3/ZrO2 coating on Co-Cr-Mo implant alloys
The bioceramic coatings on metallic implants have the potential to improve the performance with respect to implant fixation, wear and/or corrosion resistance. In this study, electrolytic Al2O3/ZrO2 two layers coating was deposited on F-1537 Co-Cr-Mo alloy in 0.03125M ZrO(NO3)(2) and subsequently in 0.01M AI(NO3)(3) aqueous solution. The uncoated and Al2O3/ZrO2 coated specimens were evaluated by cycle polarization tests in Hank's solution, wear tests (including dry and wet) with UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene), scratch tests, and surface morphology observations. The Al2O3/ZrO2 coated revealed a better quality in corrosion resistance than the single Al2O3 or ZrO2 coated. The passivation film of the uncoated was destroyed during the wet wear test, but the Al2O3/ZrO2 coated was not. Al2O3/ZrO2 coating still remaining on the Co-Cr-Mo alloy after the scratch test exhibited the excellent adhesion between the coated film and the substrate. Also, the wear loss of UHMWPE on the coated was much less than on the uncoated.