One potential alternative material to replace hydroxyapatite (HAp) as a coating material for plasma-sprayed coatings on implants for hip replacement is fluorapatite (FAp). FAp has advantages over HAp regarding the capability of being chemically stable during the coating process. This leads to surface coatings containing high apatite rates with a mechanical stability (bond strength, microhardness) comparable to HAp. From the technical point of view the production of FAp coatings is well investigated, although studies on biocompatibility of FAp coatings are fewer. This paper reports the production of HAp and FAp coatings with varying solubilities by plasma spraying and their in vitro cytotoxicity. Varying solubilities were realized by using modified plasma-spray parameters in common with suitable apatite powders with different crystallinities. Coating solubilities were evaluated by immersing the plasma-sprayed coatings in deionized water and electrolyte solution. Afterwards, cytotoxicity tests were performed using a modified half-slide technique. Cell attachment and cell morphology were evaluated. Neither HAp nor FAp coatings exhibited cytoxic influence on cells in culture. Results suggest that HAp coatings stimulate cell growth and FAp coatings do not. This could be explained by a negative effect on cell growth of the dissolved fluoride ions.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
J. L. Drummond, M. R. Simon and S. D. Brown, ASTM STP 684 (1979) 89.
E. Lugscheider, T. Weber and M. Knepper, in “Thermal Spary: Advances in Coatings Technology” (ASM International, Materials Park, OH, 1988).
Ch. P. A. T. Klein, J. M. A. de Blieck-Hogervorst, J. G. C. Wolke and K. de Groot, in Proceedings of the seventh CIMTEC World Ceramic Congress (Montecatini Terme, Italy, 24–30 June, Elsevier, 1990).
E. Lugscheider and T. Weber, Fresenius Z. Anal. Chemie. 333 (1989) 293.
T. Kokubo, H. Kushitani, C. Ohtsuki, S. Sakka and T. Yamamuro, J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Med. 3 (1992) 79.
C. J. Kirkpatrick, Regulatory Affairs 4 (1992) 13.
B. Alberts, D. Bray, J. Lewis, M. Raff, K. Roberts and J. D. Watson in “Molekulabiologie der Zelle” (VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, 1990).
C. E. Mortimer, in “Chemie” (Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart and New York, 1987).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lugscheider, E., Knepper, M., Heimberg, B. et al. Cytotoxicity investigations of plasma sprayed calcium phosphate coatings. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 5, 371–375 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00058966
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00058966