Formation of polyetheretherketone polymer coating by electrophoretic deposition method

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a safe, biocompatible and stable polymer. It is ideally suited for in vivo medical device applications as it combines outstanding chemical and hydrolysis resistance, high strength and excellent tribological properties with extensive biocompatibility. In this study, PEEK polymer coating on a conductive carbon substrate was successfully obtained through PEEK powders and the application of the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique. After heat treating the green PEEK coating at 350 °C for 20 min, a uniform PEEK plastic coating with good strength, stiffness and toughness could be obtained. The characteristics of PEEK powder and its suspension were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, DSC and ζ-potential analyzer. The microstructure of the heat-treated PEEK coating was observed under scanning electron microscope. In addition, the effects of EPD processing factors, such as electric field, suspension concentration and deposition rate, on the coating quality, will also be discussed.