title: Microstructural characterization of glass-reinforced hydroxyapatite composites.
abstract: The influence of phosphate-based glasses and a bioactive silica glass on the sintering mechanism of hydroxyapatite was studied over a wide range of temperatures. The composites were microstructurally characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Small additions of phosphate-based glasses proved to be beneficial to the sintering process and fully dense materials were obtained. A significant improvement in mechanical properties was achieved. beta-TCP and alpha-TCP were found in the microstructure depending on the sintering temperature. Additions of bioactive glass led to the development of calcium phosphate silicate.
authors.affiliation: IRC in Biomedical Materials, Queen Mary & Westfield College, London, UK.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Knowles
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Hastings
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D017886:Durapatite