2817 Properties of HAp/β-TCP Functionally Graded Material by Spark Plasma Sintering
Details
Recently, a novel sintering technology known as spark plasma sintering (SPS) has used for fabricating ceramics, functionally graded materials (FGM) and composites. SPS can consolidate samples at lower sintering temperature and for shorter sintering duration compared with conventional sintering methods, such a hot-pressing or HIP. Mechanical properties (three-point bending strength, Young's modulus and compressive strength) and biocompatibility of HAp/β-TCP FGM sintered by SPS were investigated. The FGM were sintered at a temperature of 1073K and at a pressure of 44.6 or 66.9MPa. The FGM compacts had higher three-point bending strength, Young's modulus and compressive strength than β-TCP. Natural bone formed on the surface of the FGM in the HAp-rich area and replacement for bone in the β-TCP-rich area. These results show that the HAp/β-TCP FGM sintered by SPS had high strength, excellent biocompatibility and controllability for graded bio-reaction.
