Study of diopside ceramics for biomaterials.

Diopside was prepared by sintering a powder compact of composition CaO-MgO-2SiO2 at 1300 degreesC for 2 h. The bending strength of diopside was 300 MPa and the fracture toughness was 3.5 MPa m1/2. It was proved that diopside has no general toxicity in cell culture. Diopside implanted in rabbits came in close contact with the newly grown bone. X-ray microanalysis spectral diagrams show a change of composition across the junction from the diopside to the newly grown bone. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed crystal growth at the interface between diopside and the newly grown bone, and continuity between diopside lattices and those of the new crystals.