Hydroxyapatite(HA)/yttria-stabilized zirconia(YSZ) composite coatings were deposited on titanium substrates using a hydrothermal electrochemical method in an electrolyte containing calcium, phosphate ions and YSZ particles. HA/YSZ composite coatings were prepared in different conditions with different electrolyte temperatures (100 similar to 200 degrees C), current densities(0.1 similar to 10.0 mA/cm(2)), and particles content in bath (0 similar to 100 g/L). The effect of YSZ additions on the phase composition, microstructure, thermal stability, corrosion behavior and the bonding strength of HA/YSZ composite coatings were studied. The results show that crystallinity of HA in HA/YSZ composite coatings increase continuously with the electrolyte temperature and close to stoichiometric HA. The n(Ca)/n(P) ratio at 200 degrees C is about 1.67 according with stoichiometric HA. YSZ particles are imbedded uniformly between the HA crystals. The average HA crystal size are reduced owing to the additions of YSZ particles. After annealing at 1200 degrees C, tetragonal phase YSZ tend to react with the released CaO to form cubic phase YSZ and CaZrO3, which cause destabilization of HA to decompose into more alpha-TCP phase. The bonding strength between HA/YSZ composite coatings and titanium substrates increase with increasing volume content of YSZ in the composite coatings (V %). HA/YSZ composite coatings exhibit a better electrochemical behavior than pure HA coatings and uncoated Ti metals. (c) 2006 Springer Science+ Business Media, Inc.