Development of superlattice CrNNbN coatings for joint replacements deposited by High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering

The demand for reliable coating on medical implants is ever growing. In this research, enhanced performance of medical implants was achieved by a CrN/NbN coating utilising nanoscale multilayer/superlattice structure. The advantages of the novel High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering technology, namely its unique highly ionised plasma were exploited to deposit dense and strongly adherent coatings on Co-Cr implants. TEM analyses revealed coating superlattice structure with bi-layer thickness of 3.5 nm. CrN/NbN deposited on Co-Cr samples showed exceptionally high adhesion, critical load values of LC2= 50 N in scratch adhesion tests. Nanoindentation tests showed high hardness of 34 GPa and Young's modulus of 447 GPa. Low coefficient of friction (µ) 0.49 and coating wear coefficient (KC) = 4.94 x 10-16 m3N-1m-1 were recorded in dry sliding tests. Metal ion release studies showed a reduction in Co, Cr and Mo release at physiological and elevated temperatures, (70 oC) to almost undetectable levels (<1 ppb). Rotating beam fatigue testing showed a significant increase in fatigue strength from 349±59 MPa (uncoated) to 539±59 MPa (coated). In vitro biological testing has been performed in order to assess the safety of the coating in biological environment, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and sensitisation testing have been performed, all showing no adverse effects. Keywords: Orthopaedic implant, High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering, Superlattice coating, Corrosion, Biocompatibility

Effect of the Shot Peening Process on the Corrosion and Oxidation Resistance of AISI430 Stainless Steel

Ferritic stainless steels are used in specific applications where corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance and a high mechanical resistance are required. Shot peening is a process applied to add residual compression stresses in metallic surfaces with the intent of improving the material when exposed to corrosion due to stress and fatigue. Some studies about the effect of the shot peening process on the fatigue resistance, bending fatigue behavior, and residual surface stress in the ferritic stainless steels have been performed. However, the effect of the shot peening process on the corrosion and oxidation resistance of the stainless steel is not well known. In this context, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the shot peening process on these superficial properties of ferritic AISI430 stainless steel. The obtained results showed that the ferritic AISI430 stainless steel samples treated with shot peening presented a significant modification on the surface morphology and an important decrease of oxidation and corrosion resistance, evidencing that the shot peening process compromises the chemical and physical properties of the surface