Research Projects

The objective of this proposal is to apply the Functionally Graded Coatings (FGC) concept to design coatings with a gradient mixture of selected coating materials. The proposed FGC architecture would consist of a set number of layers, with each layer having a distinct composition. The bottom layer would be made of pure Ti alloys (Ti-6Al-4V), and the top layer would contain pure ZrN. The FGC architecture would be developed using the DC Magnetron sputtering coating method. The top layer of the FGC would have a higher percentage of hard metal nitride coating, while the underlying layers would contain composite coatings with a gradient mixture of the selected coating materials. The coatings' microstructural characterization would be performed to ensure proper interfacial adhesion strength during implant placement. Biocompatibility investigation would also be carried out. The functionally graded TiN-CrN-ZrN coating would comprise three layers with a stepwise composition change. Each layer of the coatings would be made up of all three target components, each with a distinct weight percentage concentration. The top layer would have a larger concentration of ZrN, followed by CrN and TiN. The intermediate layer would contain intermediate concentrations of all three target materials, followed by the bottom layer, which would contain the highest concentration of Ti adjacent to the grit blasted substrate of Ti alloys, followed by CrN and ZrN with lower concentrations. By laying out each of the composite layers in a gradient pattern, the proposed FGC architecture would achieve directed specialized biomedical qualities while gradually matching substrate material properties. The coating's adhesion to the substrate surface should be improved as a result of this approach