Abstract
This paper deals with fabrication and strength evaluation of biocompatible composites consisting of hydroxyapatite (HAp), partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) and pure titanium (Ti). The biocompatible composites of HAp-Ti and PSZ-Ti were fabricated by a hot pressing method of powder metallurgy. In these composites, a volume ratio of HAp, PSZ and Ti was changed. Four-point bending tests and Vickers hardness tests of the HAp-Ti and PSZ-Ti composites were performed to determine the Young's modulus, bending strength and Vickers hardness, respectively. These properties were characterized as a function of Ti volume fraction. In both composites, the Young's modulus and Vickers hardness were higher than the prediction of the rule of mixture. The bending strength was improved by dispersing the Ti phase into HAp phase in the HAp-Ti composites and decreased with increasing Ti content in the PSZ-Ti composites. To discuss these results from a viewpoint of reaction products, the components of raw powders and sintered composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis. It is concluded that oxide of titanium and other reaction products were created after sintering and they affected the mechanical performances of the composites.
