Microstructural characterization of glass-reinforced hydroxyapatite composites

• Author(s): Santos, J. D. ; Knowles, J. C. ; Reis, R. L. ; Monteiro, F. J. ; Hastings, G. W.
• Date: 1994
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/1822/3860
• Origin: RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
• Subject(s): Hydroxyapatite; Composite materials; Bioactive glass; Sintering; Microstructure
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

The influence of phosphate-based glasses and a bioactive silica glass on the sintering mechanism of hydroxyapatite was studied over a wide range of temperatures. The composites were microstructurally characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Small additions of phosphate-based glasses proved to be beneficial to the sintering process and fully dense materials were obtained. A significant improvement in mechanical properties was achieved. β-TCP and alpha-TCP were found in the microstructure depending on the sintering temperature. Additions of bioactive glass led to the development of calcium phosphate silicate.