Mechanical, Electrical, and Biological Properties of Mechanochemically Processed Hydroxyapatite Ceramics

The effect of the sintering temperature on densification and the resultant mechanical, electrical, and biological properties of mechanochemically processed hydroxyapatite (HAp) samples was investigated. HAp samples were sintered at 1200, 1250, and 1300 degrees C for 4 h, respectively. HAp samples sintered at 1250 degrees C showed better mechanical properties, which was attributed to their smaller grain size compared to HAp samples at higher sintering temperatures. The nearly identical value of the dielectric constant (epsilon(r)) and better cell proliferation was exhibited by HAp samples sintered at 1250 and 1300 degrees C, respectively. At similar to 210 degrees C, in all the samples sintered at different temperatures, a dielectric anomaly was obtained, which was attributed to the phase transition temperature of the HAp system. Dielectric properties near the phase transition temperature showed a dielectric relaxation-type of behavior, which was attributed to the re-orientational motion of OH- ions in the HAp system. Higher cell proliferation and viability were exhibited by the HAp1300 samples, whereas comparatively equivalent cell growth and higher mechanical strength were observed in the HAp1250 samples.

Automated summary

The sintering temperature affects the densification and properties of hydroxyapatite (HAp) samples, with HAp samples sintered at 1250 degrees Celsius showing better mechanical properties and those sintered at 1300 degrees Celsius exhibiting higher cell proliferation. An dielectric anomaly near 210 degrees Celsius was observed in all samples, indicating a phase transition temperature of the HAp system.