Investigation of the adhesion properties of calcium-phosphate coating to titanium substrate with regards to the parameters of high-frequency magnetron sputtering

Purpose: The main goal of the work was to find the interconnection between the high-frequency magnetron sputtering parameters and the adhesion properties of CaP coatings formed on the surface of titanium substrate. Methods: Calcium-phosphate coatings, similar in composition to hydroxyapatite, were generated by high-frequency magnetron sputtering on titanium substrate at different values of high-frequency specific power over times of one and two hours. Afterwards, the generated coatings were studied using the method of X-ray phase analysis, and sclerometric tests (scratch test) were carried out. The adhesion strength of the deposited coatings was tested for different coating thicknesses from 0.45 to 1.1 × 10^–3 mm. Results: According to the results of sclerometry, it was found that with an increase in the high-frequency specific power of plasma to 3.15 W/cm², the adhesion strength of the calcium-phosphate coating also increases. For all the coatings, the critical loads at which the coating completely exfoliated from the substrate were determined. Conclusions: According to the research results, the most optimal conditions for obtaining high-adhesive calcium-phosphate coatings were determined.