Biocorrosion and biological properties of sputtered ceramic carbide coatings for biomedical applications

Surface coating with superior corrosion resistance properties is indispensable for biomedical implant industries to reduce the cytotoxicity related problems. In this work, microstructure, biocorrosion and biological properties of magnetron sputtered TiC and ZrC coatings on type 316L stainless steel (SS) substrates are studied for biomedical applications. Biocorrosion properties have been examined in the Artificial Blood Plasma (ABP) solution with 1% and 10% of H2O2 to study the corrosion behavior of carbides coated 316L SS. The formation of strong oxide passive layers on ceramic carbide coated substrates could enhance the corrosion resistance properties than uncoated SS substrates. The whole blood protein adsorption behavior of carbides coated and uncoated SS substrates are studied and the bacterial adhesion behavior is measured with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.aeruginosa) pathogen. The results revealed that the coatings possess higher protein adsorption and lower bacterial adhesion than that of bare steel substrates. In addition, Alizarin red based assay is done to confirm the biomineralization (calcium precipitation) of osteoblast like cells onto test samples and the results showed that TiC and ZrC coatings could enhance the biomineralization process. •Uniform and defect free TiC and ZrC coatings were prepared by DC magnetron Sputtering.•TiC and ZrC coatings extensively inhibited P.aeruginosa adhesion and biofilm formation.•Higher plasma protein adsorption was shown in TiC coating by SDS PAGE analysis.•TiC and ZrC showed improved corrosion resistant in ABP solution containing 1% and 10% H2O2.•Improved calcium formation was observed in osteoblast cells containing TiC and ZrC coatings.