Hydroxyapatite Matrix Composites by Hot Isostatic Pressing: Part 2. Zirconia Fibre and Powder Reinforced

The Aim of the Project Was to Enhance the Fracture Toughness of Hydroxyapatite to a Level Comparable to that of Natural Bone for in Vivo Applications. to this Aim, the Effect of Various Parameters, Were Studied. Fully Dense Decomposition-Free Hap Matrix Composite Was Produced Using Hot Isostatic Pressing Technique. A Graphite/stainless Steel Encapsulation System Was Found to Be an Appropriate Method. Glass Encapsulation Was Unsuccessful Technique due to the Excessive Low-Temperature Volatilisation, which Aerated the Glass. Toughness Improvement Was 2.7 Times for PSZ Fibres, and 2.4 Times for PSZ Powder. the Optimal Addition Level of PSZ Fibre and PSZ Powder Was 20 Vol% and ~30 Vol% Respectively. Further, it Was Found that the Hap Decomposition Temperature Was Higher at 100 Mpa (the Hiping Pressure) than for Pressureless Sintering. the Toughening Effect of the Additives Induced Plastic Deformation and Ductile Fracture.

Microwave Sintering of ZrO2 Fiber-Reinforced Hydroxyapatite Matrix Composites

PSZ (ZrO2Fiber)-reinforced HAp was sintered using conventional and microwave hybrid heating. Microwave heating cycles were ~50 times faster than conventional sintering cycles and enabled the use of reduced densification temperatures and soak times by as much as ~100°C and 55 min, respectively. However, although there was a significant improvement in densification levels attainable before decomposition, the improvements were insufficient to produce near-fully or fully dense samples. However, the promising gains made suggest that microwave hot pressing would be a suitable area for future work. Keywords: Hydroxyapatite, microwave sintering, fibre-reinforced ceramics, bioceramics, zirconia fibre