TITLE:
Elaboration and characterization of alumina - fluorapatite composites
AUTHORS:
Awatef Guidara, Kamel Chaari, Jamel Bouaziz
KEYWORDS:
Sintering; Fluorapatite; Alumina; Bioceramics; Composites; Mechanical properties
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology,
Vol.2 No.2,
March
21,
2011
ABSTRACT: Alumina and fluorapatite powder were mixed in a wet medium in order to elaborate biphasic ceramics composites. The effect of fluorapatite addition (26.5 wt%) in the densification and the mechanical properties of the alumina matrix were measured. The phase developments have been systematically analysed by scanning electronic microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Infrared spectroscopy and 31P and 27Al magic angle scanning nuclear magnetic resonance. The Brazilian test was used to measure the mechanical resistance of alumina - 26.5 wt% fluorapatite composites. The densification and strength rupture of composites increase versus sintering temperature and holding time. At 1600°C, the composites densities reached 85% and the rupture strength was about 22 MPa. Also, the composites sintering at 1500°C for 5 hours provides samples with similar density and having higher mechanical resistance, above 26 MPa. For longer holding times, the mechanical properties were hindered by the exaggerated grain growth and the formation of intragranular porosity. From 1400°C, the characterization of the alumina - 26.5 wt% fluorapatite composites indicates the formation of calcium aluminates.