Bioactive Silica Based Coatings on Stainless Steel Implants

Abstract

In the field of body implants, surface plays an important role in the response of the tissue to the presence of foreign material. Surface modification by the application of coatings can be tailored to offer the best performance in service at the lowest cost. Coatings can improve the corrosion resistance limiting the diffusion of metal ions and products of corrosion in the body, along with enhancing the bioactivity of biocompatible metals by generating a natural union with the bone. The bioactivity can be achieved by adding bioactive particles to the coating than can react promoting new bone growth around the implant favoring its union with bone and muscle systems.In this chapter, the performance of silica based sol gel coatings with the addition of different bioactive particles (hydroxyapatite, wollastonite, glass or glass ceramic) applied onto stainless steel AISI316L is analyzed in terms of in vitro analysis (surface, electrochemical and bioactivity) and preliminary studies about in vivo behavior.