Effect of electroplating parameters on UHMWPE co-deposition into cobalt matrix

The micrometer-sized ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles (~10 μm) have been incorporated by electrochemical method with cobalt on stainless steel substrate to obtain Co/UHMWPE as a novel hybrid biocoating with applications in biocoatings, which is strongly adherent and it has thickness ranging between 15-80 μm, a challenge for plating process. The hybrid coatings have been characterized by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) to identify chemical composition, surface morphology / topography, roughness of the coatings and inclusion percentage of UHMWPE micro-particles in the cobalt matrix. The experimental results revealed that the obtaining of Co/UHMWPE hybrid biocoatings is a promising method to enhance the surface properties of cobalt matrix. UHMWPE particles are dispersed into cobalt matrix and influence the surface morphology and roughness of hybrid layers as compared with pure cobalt.