SINTERING OF ZIRCONIA-ADDED APATITE COMPOSITE

Abstract

Tricalcium phosphate-free hydroxyapatite-zirconia ceramic composites were prepared by the sintering in H₂O vapor. The supply of H₂O vapor to sintering atmosphere was effective for suppressing a partially dehydration in the hydroxyapatite. The densities of prepared composites were lower comparison with those of hydroxyapatite sintered under the same condition. It was also observed that monoclinic and/or tetragonal ZrO₂ used as the starting powders transformed to cubic that after the sintering. This may be attributable to Ca-diffusion from hydroxyapatite to ZrO₂.