Tailoring the Microstructure of Sol-Gel Derived Hydroxyapatite/Zirconia Nanocrystalline Composites

In this study, we tailor the microstructure of hydroxyapatite/zirconia nanocrystalline composites by optimizing processing parameters, namely, introducing an atmosphere of water vapor during sintering in order to control the thermal stability of hydroxyapatite, and a modified sol-gel process that yi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nanoscale research letters 2010-08, Vol.6 (1), p.20-20
Main Authors: Vasconcelos, HC, Barreto, MC
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:In this study, we tailor the microstructure of hydroxyapatite/zirconia nanocrystalline composites by optimizing processing parameters, namely, introducing an atmosphere of water vapor during sintering in order to control the thermal stability of hydroxyapatite, and a modified sol-gel process that yields to an excellent intergranular distribution of zirconia phase dispersed intergranularly within the hydroxyapatite matrix. In terms of mechanical behavior, SEM images of fissure deflection and the presence of monoclinic ZrO2 content on cracked surface indicate that both toughening mechanisms, stress-induced tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformation and deflection, are active for toughness enhancement.
ISSN:1556-276X
1556-276X
DOI:10.1186/1556-276X-6-20