Preparation, characterization and mechanical performance of dense beta-TCP ceramics with/without magnesium substitution.

Beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) powder was prepared by a two-step process: wet precipitation of apatitic tricalcium phosphate [Ca(9)(HPO(4))(PO(4))(5)(OH)] (beta-TCP 'precursor') and calcination of the precursor at 800 degrees C for 3 h to produce beta-TCP. Magnesium-substituted tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCMP) was produced by adding Mg(NO(3))(2) . 6H(2)O into Ca(NO(3))(2) solution as Mg(2+) source before the precipitation step. The transition temperature from beta-TCP to alpha-TCP increases with the increase of Mg(2+) content in beta-TCMP. beta-TCMP with 3 mol.% Mg(2+) has beta-TCP to alpha-TCP transition temperature above 1,300 degrees C. Dense beta-TCMP (3 mol.% Mg(2+)) ceramics ( approximately 99.4% relative density) were produced by pressing the green bodies at 100 MPa and further sintering at 1,250 degrees C for 2 h. The average compressive strength of dense beta-TCP ceramics sintered at 1,100 degrees C is approximately 540 MPa, while that of beta-TCMP (3 mol.% Mg(2+)) ceramics is approximately 430 MPa.