title: Zirconia-toughened hydroxyapatite ceramic obtained by wet sintering.
abstract: A toughened hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic has been obtained through the incorporation of magnesia partially stabilized zirconia (Mg-PSZ) under uniaxial pressing and sintering in wet oxygen at 1250 degrees C for 4 h. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and infrared spectra (FT-IR) show that HA is the only calcium phosphate phase present. The composite (MgPSZ-HA) has a density of 94% the theoretical value. The bending strength and the fracture toughness are around 50% higher for Mg-PSZ reinforced than for HA. The grain size and the fracture surface were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influence of the Mg-PSZ particles on the fracture mechanism of the HA ceramic is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biomateriales, Universidad de La Habana, 10400-Ciudad Habana, Cuba.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morejón
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Ginebra
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carlsson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Planell
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Clavaguera-Mora
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Viejo