Selected physico-chemical properties of composite scaffolds of sintered submicrocrystalline corundum and bioglass

• Published in: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology 2022-05, Vol.120 (3-4), p.1867-1876
• Main Authors: Staniewicz-Brudnik, Barbara, Karolus, Małgorzata, Cholewa-Kowalska, Katarzyna, Skrabalak, Grzegorz, Laszkiewicz-Łukasik, Jolanta, Drukała, Justyna, Stalińska, Joanna, Dziedzic, Katarzyna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum oxide; Bioglass; Blood plasma; CAE) and Design; Chemical properties; Composite materials; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Corundum; Engineering; Hydroxyapatite; Industrial and Production Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Media Management; Metallurgical analysis; Mixtures; Original Article; Phosphorus pentoxide; Powder metallurgy; Scaffolds; Silicon dioxide; Sintering (powder metallurgy)
• ISSN: 0268-3768; 1433-3015
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-022-08736-w

Presented paper contains description and interpretation of the results of selected physicochemical and structural properties of two types of composite sinters. They were constituted of a mixture of sintered microcrystalline corundum and bioglass CaO-P 2 O 5 -SiO 2 -Na 2 O system intended for scaffolds to cell culture of human chondrocytes. The composites contained a mixture of both above-mentioned components in the volumetric proportion of 50:50 (W5) and 30:70 (W7). They were obtained using powder metallurgy by free sintering in air atmosphere. Phase analysis of composites and verification of theoretical identification using X-ray diffraction were performed. The same phases were found in both cases (Al 2 O 3 SiO 2 CaAl 2 Si 2 O 8 , Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 , Ca 2 Al 4 O 7 and NaAlSiO 4 ). Microscopic tests of composite surfaces were performed and some differences were found. W5 sample was not completely covered with bioglass, whilst W7 sample was completely covered with bioglass with few fine pores. Tests of surface topography confirmed the presence of large and small pores. Composite surfaces immersed for 30 days in artificial blood plasma were tested and then electron microscopy analysis was performed. It was found that no significant changes occurred on the surface of the W5 composite, probably partial corrosion of the glass happened. Spherical forms characteristic of HA-hydroxyapatites were observed on the surface of sample W7. Human articular chondrocyte cells were seeded on both types of sinters and proliferation assay was performed. Results indicate that tested scaffolds support cellular attachment and proliferation of chondrocytes.