Sintering effect on mechanical properties of composites of bovine hydroxyapatite (BHA) and Li2O

Abstract

In this study, hydroxyapatite (HA) material, obtained from calcinated bovine bone (BHA), was mixed with 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 wt% Li2CO3. The pressed pellets were sintered at various sintering temperatures between 900 degrees C and 1300 degrees C. Measurements of compression strength, microhardness, and density, along with SEM observation and X-ray diffraction analysis were performed. The experimental results showed that the samples with 0.25 and 0.50% Li2CO3 reached a maximum of densification and the highest values of compression strength and microhardness were achieved after sintering at 1300 degrees C. The wetting effect of a Li2O-associated glassy phase was observed even from 900 degrees C.