Abstract
Dissolution of calcium phosphate ceramics with different powder properties was investigated. The laboratory synthesized and the supplied commercial powders were used as starting materials. For the laboratory synthesized powder, it was prepared by a precipitation reaction between a mixed solution of CaCl2 and H3PO4 and ammonium hydroxide solution. The precipitation reaction was carried out at room temperature and the pH was maintained at 10.5 by continuous addition of ammonium hydroxide solution. After preparing powder compacts, all specimens were sintered at 1200oC for 2h in air with moisture protection. Depending on the particle size, Ca/P ratio, compositions, sintered density and microstructures of the powders, the ceramics showed different dissolution behavior in water and simulate body fluid (SBF). It was observed that grain boundary dissolution followed by particle loosening occurred at the surface and the dissolution extended to interior region of the ceramics.
