Bio-tribological properties and microstructure characterization of the polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) coatings on polyaryletheretherketone (PEEK) substrate

Surface functionalization of medical devices made of polyaryletheretherketone (PEEK) is an essential requirement when a direct osteointegration between implants and host tissues is desired. The main objective of the work was to improve bio-activity and tribological properties of advanced polymer PEEK type materials through development of biomimetic, smart polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) composite coatings. The optimal biological (fibroblasts cell proliferation) and tribological (micro-hardness, scratch adhesion) properties of the PTFE coating were found for porous, nano-composite, multi-layered structures. Coatings were more porous on the surface what made it prone for fibroblast cell proliferation, and more dense close to the PEEK substrate, what positively influenced on their tribological properties.