Microstructure, Hardness, and Electrical Conductivity of β-TCP/Zirconia Composites Prepared from Eggshell

Abstract

In this research, β-TCP composited with zirconia at different compositions were fabricated via solid-state reaction method. β -TCP was produced from eggshell. The crystal structure of the as-prepared samples was characterized using X-ray diffractometer (X-RD). Meanwhile, elemental mapping and the microstructural characteristics of the samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A Vickers hardness test was performed to investigate the hardness properties. In addition, the porosity and the electrical conductivity of the sample were also analyzed. The XRD data showed that β-TCP was successfully synthesized from the eggshell. Based on Vickers hardness test results presented the sample with 40:60 wt% composition has a higher hardness that supported by SEM characterization that is homogeneous. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity with the highest value of 0.05470 (S•cm-1) showed by the sample with 30:70 wt% composition.