Mechanical properties and in vitro bioactivity of silicon nitride ceramics with SiO2, CaO, and MgO additions

Silicon nitride ceramics with SiO2, CaO, and MgO as sintering aids were investigated in view of biomedical applications. In the current study, samples with four different compositions were pressureless sintered at 1750°C for 1 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. The samples were evaluated concerning dens...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials Applied biomaterials, 2022-03, Vol.110 (3), p.507-516
Main Authors: Sona Filho, Celso Ricardo, Machado de Souza Carvalho, Flávio, Chaves Guedes‐Silva, Cecilia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Additives
bioceramics
Biological activity
Biomedical materials
Body fluids
Calcium oxide
Ceramics
Composition
Densification
Hydroxyapatite
In vitro methods and tests
Magnesium oxide
Materials research
Materials science
Mechanical properties
Microstructure
Mineralization
Modulus of elasticity
Orthopaedic implants
Orthopedics
Phosphorus
Porosity
Silicon
Silicon dioxide
Silicon nitride
Sintering (powder metallurgy)
Sintering aids
Surgical implants
Theoretical density
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Summary:Silicon nitride ceramics with SiO2, CaO, and MgO as sintering aids were investigated in view of biomedical applications. In the current study, samples with four different compositions were pressureless sintered at 1750°C for 1 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. The samples were evaluated concerning densification, microstructure, mechanical properties, and in vitro bioactivity. Microstructures with elongated β‐Si3N4 grains dispersed in an intergranular phase and with densities from 78.77 to 97.14% of the theoretical density were obtained. Higher contents of SiO2 resulted in the best densification and mechanical properties. Besides, replacements of CaO by MgO in the initial compositions affected Young's modulus and in vitro bioactivity. Considering the samples with relative density higher than 94.14%, those with lower values of Young's modulus had lower SiO2/MgO ratios. After immersion in SBF (Simulated Body Fluid), the samples with high porosity and/or partial replacements of CaO by MgO had their surfaces coated with a layer rich in calcium and phosphorus, morphologically similar to hydroxyapatite. Hence, producing silicon nitride ceramics with the potential to be used as orthopedic implants must consider ideal amounts of additives. In this article, the best combination of mechanical properties and mineralization capability was reached by the composition with low content of MgO, and high content of SiO2 and CaO.
ISSN:1552-4973
1552-4981
DOI:10.1002/jbm.b.34930