abstract
The compositional similarity of calcium phosphates such as beta-TCP and HAp to the inorganic components of human bones makes them excellent candidates for bone substitutes. Regardless of presenting excellent biocompatibility, calcium phosphates present low mechanical strength, which is a major drawback for load-bearing applications. In this sense, achieving Hap or beta-TCP with increased density is crucial to enhance their mechanical properties. In the present study, beta-TCP and HAp were processed from commercially available powders in order to obtain highly dense specimens aiming to elevate these mechanical properties of calcium phosphates. For this purpose, two sintering strategies were used: in the first, using a single holding time, whereas in the second, two holding times. The obtained phases, their potential degradation, microstructure, porosity, and mechanical strength were investigated. Results revealed that the use of two holding times improved densification, leading to flexural strength improvement, on both materials, but especially on HAp, where a 122% increase was verified.
keywords
SINTERING BEHAVIOR; ELASTIC-MODULUS; HYDROXYAPATITE; CERAMICS; COMPOSITES; HARDNESS
subject category
Automation & Control Systems; Engineering
authors
Pereira, H; Carvalho, O; Bdikin, I; Silva, FS; Miranda, G
our authors
Georgina Miranda
Associate Professor with HabilitationProjects
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)
Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)
acknowledgements
Open access funding provided by FCT|FCCN (b-on).This work was supported by FCT (Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia) through the project PTDC/EME-EME/1442/2020 (Add2MechBio). This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020, UIDP/50011/2020, and LA/P/0006/2020, financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). Also, this work was supported by FCT national funds, under the national support to R&D unit grant, through the reference projects UIDB/04436/2020 and UIDP/04436/2020. Also, Helena Pereira acknowledges FCT for her PhD scholarship (2020.07257.BD). Igor Bdikin acknowledges the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT) for the financial support of project CARBONCT (2022.03596.PTDC).