Effect of Microplasma Spray Conditions on Structure, Phase Composition and Texture of Hydroxyapatite Coatings

Hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings were deposited onto titanium alloy substrate using the microplasma spray (MPS) technique. The fractional-factorial experiment design method was employed to study the relationships between MPS parameters (amperage, plasma gas flow rate, spray distance and powder rate) and characteristics of HA coatings (microstructure, morphology, content of crystalline and amorphous phases, texture). Influence of coating thickness and the deposited coating heat treatment were evaluated also. The results show some peculiarities of HA coating formation in conditions of microplasma spraying process.