Biodegradation of hydroxyapatite coated Rex-734 alloy with silver and selenium/chitosan substitutions: In vitro analysis

Hydroxyapatite (HA) based bioceramic coatings; such as single-HA, double layered with Silver-Ag, Selenium-Se and Chitosan substitutions on Rex-734 alloy were executed by using the sol-gel method. Surface morphologies and adhesion strengths of the obtained coatings were investigated and coating material weight losses and metal ion releases from the substrates were determined in SBF (Simulated Body Fluid) environment. The coatings were characterized by SEM, EDS, XRD and adhesion strengths between the substrate and bioceramic coatings were measured with adhesion tests. SEM analyses revealed that crack-free surface morphologies were obtained in all bioceramic coatings. The coatings were kept in SBF for immersion periods from one to four weeks and the weight loss (%) in coatings and changes in ion release rates were determined. HA/Ag double layered coatings applied on the Rex-734 alloy increased the adhesion strength and accordingly reduced the weight losses (%) of coating materials in SBF. Se/Chitosan double layered coatings were found to decrease the adhesion strength and increase the weight losses (%) in SBF. Additionally, all bioceramic coatings were observed to prevent the elemental ion release by physical barrier effect for the release of metal ions during the four weeks immersion period in SBF.