Fabrication of titanium nitride/apatite functionally graded implants by spark plasma sintering

Abstract

Titanium nitride/hydroxyapatite functionally graded implant (TiN/HAP) was successfully fabricated by spark plasma sintering method (SPS) and their properties were investigated. The functionally graded materials (FGM) with the concentration from TiN at one end to HAP at the other were prepared by sintering at 1100 and 1200°C under the pressure of 150 MPa. The Brinell hardness was around HB 60, nearly uniform for the whole range of composition. After 2 and 8 week implantation in diaphysis of femur of rat, there was very little inflammation and the new bone was formed around the sample. By use of TiN instead of Ti, the decomposition of HAP during sintering process could be suppressed and the successful sintering of FGM and mechanical properties could be attained.