Scaffold-like hydroxyapatite/tri-calcium-phosphate (HA/TCP) coatings have been deposited on strong zirconia-substrates using a unique HA-slip coating-deposition and coating-substrate co-sintering process.
Bending strength of such layered composites is over 300 MPa, higher than the upper strength limit of natural bones.
Thick scaffold-like HA-coatings with open pores larger than 100 μm can be deposited onto the micro-porous HA/TCP surface using the same technique.
Such load-bearing “HA-scaffolds” with adequate bending strength and large open pore structures provide useful options as load-bearing bone implants.