Hot isostatic pressing modifications of pore size distribution in plasma sprayed coatings

Plasma sprayed coatings contain relatively large amount of pores. This is primarily due to the nature of deposition by the liquid droplets upon impact. This paper reports the modifications made in the pore size distribution of plasma sprayed yttria-stabilized zirconia and Ti-6Al-4V/hydroxyapatite composite coatings following hot isostatic pressing (HIP). Physical properties such as microhardness, Young's modulus and density increased substantially. This is believed to be aided mainly by the plastic deformation of the ductile Ti-6Al-4V phase during HIP.