Abstract
The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical and physical properties of bioactive ceramics prepared from an aqueous paste containing hydroxyapatite (HA) and beta tri-calcium phosphate (β-TCP). Prior to formulating the paste, HA and β-TCP were calcined at 800 ℃ and 975 ℃ (11 h), milled, and blended into 15%/85% HA/β-TCP volume-mixed paste. Fabricated cylindrical rods were subsequently sintered to 900 ℃, 1100 ℃ or 1250 ℃. The sintered specimens were characterized by helium pycnometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy for evaluation of porosity, crystalline phase, functional-groups, and Ca:P ratio, respectively. Mechanical properties were assessed via 3-point bending and diametral compression. Qualitative microstructural evaluation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed larger pores and a broader pore size distribution (PSD) for materials sintered at 900 ℃ and 1100 ℃, whereas the 1250 ℃ samples showed more uniform PSD. Porosity quantification showed significantly higher porosity for materials sintered to 900 ℃ and 1250 ℃ (p < 0.05). XRD indicated substantial deviations from the 15%/85% HA/β-TCP formulation following sintering where lower amounts of HA were observed when sintering temperature was increased. Mechanical testing demonstrated significant differences between calcination temperatures and different sintering regimes (p < 0.05). Variation in chemical composition and mechanical properties of bioactive ceramics were direct consequences of calcination and sintering.