Microstructure and phase composition of HAp+YSZ composites

Agata Dudek Politechnika Częstochowska, Instytut Inżynierii Materiałowej, al. Armii Krajowej 19, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland

Quarterly No. 3, 2008 pages 258-261

DOI:

keywords: biomaterials, composites, hydroxyapatite

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abstract Last years have seen a remarkable progress in development of materials with special properties used for the medicine. In particular, it encompasses a group of materials used for implants. Use of bioceramics materials as coatings for implants introduced into human body, due to their biocompatibility with human body enables overcoming immunological barriers. One of the solutions for improvement of poor properties (low mechanical strength and fracture toughness) of HAp is addition of zirconium oxide, which is characterized by higher biological tolerance and improved mechanical properties. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) and zirconia (ZrO2) are well-known and valuable implant materials. Preparation of two-phase HAp-ZrO2 composite material gives rise to some questions, which have not been fully clarified. The investigations involved preparation of composites through single-axial compaction of two ceramic powders (HAp+YSZ) and their sintering at the temperature of 1300C for two hours. The aim of the investigations was to determine thermal stability of hydroxyapatite and HAp+YSZ and impact of addition of YSZ (8 wt. % Y2O3 stabilizing ZrO2) on phase composition of the prepared composites after the process of sintering. Nearly 900 hydroxyapatite starts to decompose by evaporating water and forming partially or completely dehydrated oxyhydroxyapatite. Particular attention is paid to the presence of phases after sintering process in HAp+ZrO2 composites. Investigations of phase composition have been carried out by means of Seifert 3003 T-T X-ray diffractometry.