Hydroxyapatite Deposition onto Ti-6Al-4V Surface in Powder Mixed Electrical Discharge Machining

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is bioactive and biocompatible bioceramics that is commonly used as a filler to replace amputated bone or as a coating to promote bone ingrowth into prosthetic implants. The need to overcome biocompatibility problems and improve the bone bonding ability enforced the researchers to develop suitable coating techniques. Feasibility of Powder Mixed Electrical Discharge Machining of Ti-6Al-4V alloy with HA additives in water dielectric liquid is studied as an alternative coating technique. Machined samples are analyzed by means of optical, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The experimental results have revealed that it is possible to deposit HA powders onto the work material surface by using the process. The morphology of the deposited material signified the dependency with respect to the operational parameters such as pulse on duration and current. Moderate pulse currents together with low pulse on duration were found to be the plausible choices for HA coating applications.