MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF β-TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE CERAMICS DOPED WITH VANADATE IONS

Abstract

Beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) powders and ceramics doped with vanadate (VO₄^3-) ions were prepared, and the substitution mode of VO₄^3- ions for the β-TCP structure and the mechanical properties were investigated. The synthesized powders consisted of a single β-TCP (0-80 mol%) or Ca₃(VO₄)₂ (100 mol%) phase, and the a and c lattice constants increased linearly up to 100 mol%. These results indicate that the VO₄^3- ions were homogeneously doped at all PO₄ sites in β-TCP. The bending strength increased with the VO₄^3- ion content up to 2.0 mol% because of the improvement in sinterability. However, when the VO₄^3- ion content was above 2.0 mol%, the bending strength decreased because of crack formation and porosity due to excess grain growth. The bending strength of β-TCP ceramics was higher when doped with VO₄^3- ions than with other metal ions; thus, β-TCP ceramics with excellent mechanical properties can be fabricated by substituting a small amount of VO₄^3- ions.