Phase development and sintering behaviour of biphasic HA-TCP calcium phosphate materials prepared from hydroxyapatite and bioactive glass.

The composites of hydroxyapatite (HA) with 2.5 and 5 wt% of a double oxide (50 mol% CaO and 50 mol% P(2)O(5)) glass were prepared using the conventional powder mixing and sintering method. The addition of the glass significantly enhanced the decomposition process of HA into alpha tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) for bodies sintered at 1,300 and 1,350 degrees C and beta-TCP phases for the ones sintered at 1,200, 1,250 and 1,300 degrees C. Microstructural characteristics, phase development and thermal behaviour were studied by SEM, XRD and STA. The effects of TCP phase content and phase transformation from beta-TCP to alpha-TCP on the sintering are discussed. The characterizations revealed considerable content of TCP in the form of large semi-islands due to important reactions between the fine HA and the glass mixed powders.