Influence of β-tricalcium phosphate dispersion on mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite ceramics

Abstract

Mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics and HAp/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) composites were measured at room temperature and at 1100°C to investigate influence of the β-TCP dispersion. HAp powder was synthesized by precipitation method, and the ceramics and its composites were obtained by sintering the powder. The HAp/30%β-TCP exhibited the best contribution to mechanical properties in this study. The compression test at 1100°C showed that the β-TCP dispersion reduced yield stress and work hardening of the HAp ceramics. Moreover, it was found that the composites were largely deformed without the change in grain shape and grain size. The result suggests superior superplasticity in the HAp/β-TCP composites to the HAp ceramics. © 2008 The Ceramic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.