Microstructure and Bioactivity of Zirconia-toughened Glass-ceramics

Abstract

Bioactivity of zirconia-toughened glass-ceramic composites was evaluated in terms of their surface reaction in simulated body fluid. The bioactivity was degraded by introducing large amounts of zirconia TEM observation revealed that Ca in the glass-ceramic particles reacted with the zirconia during sintering, and that the decrease in Ca in the particles degraded the bioactivity of the composites. In this study, the optimum composition and preparation process are determined for high-strength and bioactive ceramics.