title: On the possibility of silicon nitride as a ceramic for structural orthopaedic implants. Part I: processing, microstructure, mechanical properties, cytotoxicity.
abstract: Notwithstanding the good combination of mechanical and tribological properties, the suitability of silicon nitride for application as prosthesis in bone reconstruction or in articular joints replacements is still controversial. This study aims to design and produce three different silicon nitride-based ceramics and to test the materials. In this Part I the microstructure and mechanical properties evidence outstanding characteristics and the cytotoxicity studies confirm that all the materials are extremely inert and biocompatible. In Part II, the wear performance and the wettability and chemical stability against different aqueous media and physiological solutions are investigated and discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Sciences and Technology for Ceramics, National Research Council, Via Granarolo, n.64, Faenza, Ravenna 48018, Italy. mauro.mazzocchi@istec.cnr.it
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazzocchi
authors.forename: Alida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bellosi
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002516:Ceramics; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009985:Orthopedics; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D017655:Silicon Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D017655:Silicon Compounds; C032734:silicon nitride