Novel ways of processing hydroxyapatite-zirconia composite coating via plasma spraying process

Hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings have been deposited on artificial hip prosthesis as a bioactive surface to induce a direct chemical bond with natural bones and hence achieve a biological fixation onto implants. However, its intrinsic weak mechanical properties have always been the main obstacle to its applications as a load bearing biomedical device, especially in the area of orthopedic applications where implants have to withstand medium to high loads. In this study, various process routes for the preparation of HA/ yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) composite feedstock were investigated and then sprayed onto Ti-6A1-4V alloy substrates.Master of Engineering (MPE