Calcination effects on the sinterability of hydroxyapatite bioceramics

Abstract

The sinterability of calcined synthesized HA (700°C to 1000°C) was investigated over the temperature range of 1050°C to 1350°C in terms of phase stability, bulk density, Young's modulus and Vickers hardness. Calcination has resulted in higher crystallinity of the starting synthesized HA powder. Decomposition of HA phase to form secondary phases was not observed in the present work for the calcined powders. The results also indicated that calcination of the HA powder prior to sintering has negligible effect on the sinterability of the HA compacts (up to 900°C). Further treatment at 1000°C was found to be detrimental to the properties of sintered HA. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.