Thermal Spray in Biomedical Applications

The primary application of thermally sprayed coatings in medicine concerns coatings on prostheses. The prostheses are made of bio-inert materials, such as stainless steel, CoCrMo alloy or TiAlV alloy.
 

Coated Prostheses:

  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Arm
  • Tooth

Bio-Inert Coating Requirements:

  • A large porosity, in order to enlarge the surface of the prosthesis
  • Biocompatibility and stability in the body
  • Reasonably good adhesion to the prosthesis
  • The coating must not become detached after ‘in-growth’ of the bone.