Fracturing and adhesion behavior of hydroxyapatite formed by a citric acid and sodium citrate buffer system

This study aims to examine the fracture and surface adhesion behavior of hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings created in acitric acid-sodium citrate buffer system. Coatings were implemented on the surface of Ti6Al4V. The modulus of elasticity, hardness and adhesion strength values of the presented coatings were determined, the fracture toughness values were calculated and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were taken as well. Finally, the mechanical properties found by the tests implemented to hydroxyapatite coatings applied on Ti6Al4V, which yielded successful outcomes were compared to the mechanical properties of bone. The fracture toughness achieved in this study was found to be more compatible with the mechanical properties of the original bone itself when compared to the literature findings. Besides, the adhesion strength was found to be remarkably high.