Evaluation of Biological, Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Hydroxyapatite-Doped Zirconia Composites Ceramics

Abstract

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics used as implantable biomaterial substituting for bone defect have high bioactivity. However, the low strength and fracture toughness of the HAp ceramics have reduced the applications. On the other hand, yttria-stabilized zirconia ceramics (YSZ) used in hip-joint replacement as bioinertmaterial have high strength and fracture toughness. We made investigation into properties of HAp-doped YSZ composites ceramics (HA-Z) in order to produce bioactive with toughness materials. 3mol% Y₂O₃ stabilized zirconia powder in 3 and 10wt% HAp powder was sintered at 1400^oC for 1h in air. The HA-Z(3) and (10) ceramics was immersed in 1.5simulated body fluid (SBF) for 5days at 37^oC in relative humidity of 100%. The surfaces of HA-Z(3) and (10) was observed to bone like apatite crystal educed in 1.5 SBF. To clear this biological reactivity of HA-Z ceramics, the HA-Z ceramics will be expected as new biomaterial has high mechanical property and high bioactivity.