Hydroxyapatite (HA) powders were prepared by a chemical precipitation method and used for the fabrication of the HA-chitosan nanocomposite coatings. The proposed method for the coating fabrication is based on the electrochemical deposition of chitosan and electrophoretic deposition of HA. Cathodic deposits of various thicknesses in the range of up to 50 mu m were obtained on Pt and stainless steel foils, stainless steel wires, and graphite substrates. The deposit composition was varied by the variation of HA concentration in chitosan solutions. The deposition yield was studied at a constant current density and various deposition durations. Obtained coatings were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, differential thermal analysis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.