A review on hydroxyapatite and its composite coatings on 316L stainless steel substrate for tissue engineering applications

In recent years, the use of hydroxyapatite (HA) as a coating on metal substrates for biological stabilization of implants, stimulation of bone growth around the implant and optimization of recovery time has attracted the attention of researchers. In the present study, a review of HA and its composite coatings on 316L stainless steel for tissue engineering applications was performed. HA is one of the bioceramics that has been considered by researchers in recent years owing to its in-vitro bioactivity, osteoinduction and osteoconduction properties. According to the previous reports, coated implants performed successfully in achieving high corrosion resistance, bone growth and regeneration and reduction of corrosion current density. The researchers of the present study reviewed the previous research works on the coating mechanism, physico-mechanical, in-vitro bioactivity and biocompatibility properties of HA and its composite coatings on 316L stainless steel substrate. The obtained results revealed that HA and its composites on 316L stainless steel can have a synergistic effect in improving corrosion resistance, providing biocompatibility, direct bonding to tissue, accelerating treatment and reducing costs imposed on the health care sector.