Study on Structural Properties of Hydroxyapatite-Zirconia Composites

Abstract

For the project work,hydroxyapatite-zirconia composite with varying zirconia composition were prepared and subsequent characterization was performed.Hydroxyapatite was prepared by using calcium nitrate and di-ammonium hydrogenphosphate, while zirconia was prepared by using zirconia oxychloride and ammonium hydroxide solution.Both hydroxyapatite and zirconia powders were prepared by precipitation method. Zirconia was added to the extent of 5,10 and 20 weight percent,the mixture was milled for 4 hours and then consolidated into pellets and sintered at 1200°C for 4 hours.The XRD analysis showed the presence of β-TCP (tricalcium phosphate) in the sintered pellets,due to the decomposition of Hydroxyapatite. The study shows that the properties, like bulk density, Vicker‟s hardness and bi-axial flexural strength,of hydroxyapatite can be improved by the addition of zirconia. This makes it suitable for application in load bearing bony sites where only hydroxyapatite might fail under load.