Researchers at Yuri Gagarin State Technical University of Saratov have developed a unique material for coating artificial heart valves, which significantly increases their wear resistance and durability. The work is published in the prestigious scientific journal Ceramics International (Q1).
The new material not only provides an increase in microhardness and abrasion resistance compared to existing samples made of USB-15 and Y-TZP, but also improves the hydrophobic properties of the surface — the ability to repel liquid. This is important for reducing blood friction on the valve surface and preventing the formation of clots.
Scientists note that the service life of modern heart valve prostheses is on average 25–30 years. During this time, the material is subjected to billions of load cycles, comparable to continuous mechanical shock. Therefore, increasing the wear resistance and biocompatibility of components remains one of the key tasks of biomedical materials science.
The SSTU team proposed using a nanostructured ceramic coating made of silicon dioxide and chromium oxide. The layer thickness is from 140 to 360 nanometers, and the particle size is about 60 nanometers. This coating is characterized by minimal porosity, a smooth surface and high hardness, which makes it ideal for biomedical implants.