TITLE:
Mechanical Properties of a Vacuum-Sintered Apatite Body for Use as Artificial Bone
AUTHORS:
Kenichi Tamura
KEYWORDS:
Titanium Medical Apatite (TMA), Vacuum Sintering, Vickers Hardness, Bending Strength, Compressive Strength, Crystal Morphology, Regenerative Artificial Bone 1.
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology,
Vol.6 No.1,
January
9,
2015
ABSTRACT:
Regenerative artificial bone material and bone parts were fabricated using vacuum-sintered bodies
of a “titanium medical apatite (TMA?)” that is formed by chemically connecting Ti oxide molecules
to the reactive [Ca10 (PO4 )6 ] group of hydroxyapatite (HAp). Sintering at temperatures of
1273 - 1773 K caused this TMA sintered bodies to recrystallize and form a varying mix of α-TCP
(tricalcium phosphate), β-TCP and Perovskite-CaTiO3 phases. The Perovskite crystals proved to be
quite stable and hard, forming a uniform distribution of similarly sized fibers in all directions under
vacuum sintering, but an irregular distribution and size when sintered in the presence of oxygen.
Complete recrystallization was achieved by vacuum sintering at temperatures in excess of
1473 K. In particular, TMA vacuum-sintered bodies at 1573 K are given the maximum value; a
Vickers hardness of 400, a bending strength of 43 MPa, a compressive strength of 270 MPa and a
density of approximately 2300 kg/m3 was achieved that closely corresponds to that of compact
bone or a tooth. As these TMA bodies could also be cut into various forms, they are considered a
promising biomaterial for use as artificial bone in the regeneration of natural bone, or to provide
reinforcement of bone junctions in dental and orthopedic surgery.