Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of Hydroxyapatite-Zirconia Composites

• Published in: Journal of the American Ceramic Society 2007-09, Vol.90 (9), p.2885-2892
• Main Authors: Erkmen, Z. E., Genç, Y., Oktar, F. N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Building materials. Ceramics. Glasses; Ceramic industries; Ceramics; Cermets, ceramic and refractory composites; Chemical industry and chemicals; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Density; Exact sciences and technology; Human; Hydroxyapatite; Materials science; Mechanical properties; Medical sciences; Microstructure; Miscellaneous; Other materials; Partially stabilized zirconia; Physics; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Sintering; Specific materials; Technical ceramics; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments. Material. Instrumentation; Zirconium; Zirconium dioxide
• ISSN: 0002-7820; 1551-2916
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1551-2916.2007.01849.x

This work focuses on the improvement of the mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite (HA) through the addition of 3 mol% yttria partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ). Enamel‐derived HA (EHA) from freshly extracted human teeth and commercial HA (CHA) were chosen as the matrix. The effects of addition up to 10 wt% of PSZ and of sintering temperature (1000°–1300°C) on the density, microhardness, and compression strength were evaluated. For EHA–PSZ composites, the density and mechanical properties were generally enhanced by adding 5 wt% PSZ, especially after sintering at 1200°C, whereas CHA–PSZ composites showed lower strength values at sintering temperatures of 1200° and 1300°C with respect to EHA–PSZ composites. This may be due to the lower stability of CHA–PSZ composites with higher amounts of calcium zirconate formed over 1100°C when compared with EHA–PSZ composites.