Preparation of TiO2-ZrO2-Y2O3 composite for load bearing implants

Abstract

The present work deals with the preparation of ceramic composites that can be employed for the development of load bearing bone implants in total knee and hip replacement. Zirconia (ZrO2) is a bio-inert, strong, and resistant ceramic, while titania (TiO2) is bioactive but is believed to have poor mechanical properties. It is expected that yttria stabilized ZrO2-TiO2 ceramic composites incorporate the desirable properties of both ceramics, so that this composite would exhibit better in-vivo biological properties. The composites of Ti-ZrO2 (0.2 mass fraction) stabilised with 3 mol% yttria with different particle size were prepared using powder metallurgy. The obtained powders were then sintered at 1300 °C for 1 hr in normal atmosphere subsequent to dry pressing at 130MPa. Sintering led to the oxidation of titanium into titanium oxide(titania).Phase characterization was analyzed by XRD, morphological features were assessed by SEM, hardness was measured by micro-hardness tester and MTT assay was used for the measurement of cell viability in vitro to understand the compatibility of implant in body environment.