Surface parameters modification by multilayer coatings deposition for biomedical applications

Studies are presented of the surface parameters of various multilayer coatings, namely, TiN, CrN, (Ti, Cr)N, TiN/TiC10N90, TiN/TiC20N80 deposited by means of Arc-PVD on stainless steel (1H18N9), as well as of the same coatings with an additional Al2O3 film deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering (RMS). The surface thickness, roughness and topography are estimated. Other parameters, such as the surface free energy (SFE) and fractional polarity are determined by means of the Wu and the Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelble methods. Experiments are carried out on the in vitro cell/material interaction (in a fibroblasts culture) in order to determine the materials biomedical response. The results show some correlation between the surface properties and cell adhesion. The best biological response parameters (cell number, proliferation function, morphology) are obtained in the case of coatings with the highest values of the polar part component of the SFE and the fractional polarity, such as TiN, TiN/TiC10N90 and oxide coatings.