Testing concept for the mechanical-tribological characterization of an anti-bacterial coating system for implants

Abstract

To solve the issue of implant-associated infections, an antibacterial biocompatible multilayer coating was developed. For the approval of such a coating system as a medical device, the characterization of its mechanical and tribological properties is required. Since none of the existing test standards is fully applicable to the present coating system, a testing concept was developed to investigate the wettability, topography, morphology, thickness, hardness, Young’s modulus, adhesion strength and tribological characteristics of the multilayer coating.