Ceramic coatings for the Total Disc Replacement devices

In tthis work PVD and CVD methods are used to deposit functional 3D Si_xN_y and DLC coatings on Total Disc Replacement metallic implant parts. The coatings will be characterized using electron microscopy (SEM and TEM for microstructure, composition and thickness), Rockwell indentations (adhesion) and nanoindentation (elastic modulus and hardness). Advanced adhesion testing through in situ scratch tests in the SEM will permit detailed mechanistic investigation of coating quality. Initial tribological characterization in a multidirectional pin-on-disc set-up (friction and wear rate) will also be performed.

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