RESORBABLE CALCIUM PHOSPHATES BASED CERAMICS

Abstract

Resorbable monophase ceramics and ceramic composites based on calcium pyrophosphate (CPP, Ca₂P₂O₇), tricalcium phosphate (TCP, Ca₃(PO₄)₂), and hydroxyapatite (HAp, Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) were prepared via thermal treatment of a HAp (Ca/P=1.67) and CPP (Ca/P=1) mixture. High-temperature solid-state reaction between HAp and CPP leading to TCP formation was studied within the range 700–800 ºC. The metastable α-TCP phase was observed in this range as a product of the solid-state reaction. The reaction had been completed before sintering of the powders started. The microstructure of CPP/TCP composites was found to be duplex-like, consisting of large CPP grains with smaller TCP grains among CPP ones. In the case of the monophase ceramics with starting HAp/CPP ratio corresponding to TCP, grain size was less than 300 nm.