Microstructure and bioactivity in SBF of the hydroxyapatite coatings plasma sprayed with a magnetic field

A 100 mT magnetic field was introduced during the plasma spraying of hydroxyapatite (HA) coating on Ti6Al4V substrate. The influence of the magnetic field on the microstructure, bonding strength, and bioactivity of the coating was investigated. Compared with as-sprayed coating, the coating sprayed under a magnetic field showed fewer porosity and microcracks and a significantly decreased absolute value of the residual stress. The bonding strength of the coating sprayed under a magnetic field was approximately 173.6 % greater than as-sprayed coating. With increasing time in simulated body fluid, the width of microcracks on the surface of both coat-ings first increased and then decreased. The widths of microcracks on the coating sprayed under a magnetic field were much smaller than as-sprayed coating. During spraying process, the magnetic field would enhance the wetting and flowing ability of the HA molten droplets, prolonging their cooling, which affects the microstructure and bioactivity of the coating.