Effect of low temperature crystallization on 58S bioactive glass sintering and compressive strength

Mesoporous glass 58S (60SiO2, 36CaO, 4P2O5 mol.%) has excellent bioactivity, biocompatibility, and forms strong bonds with bone making it attractive for implants. Mesoporous bioactive glass 58S powder is typically consolidated through sintering in order to produce an implant with sufficient strength to withstand the in vivo loads. However, heating the glass often leads to crystallinity, which is undesirable because it can reduce bioactivity. Hence, there is a trade-off between minimising crystallinity and maximising glass strength. Even at relatively low temperatures, it has been suggested that segregation of calcium and phosphate from silica within the glass can lead to crystallization. In this work, we confirm the occurrence of low temperature segregation in bioactive glass 58S using electron microscopy with elemental mapping. We probe how segregation affects the material properties of post-sintered glasses via comparison to a glass where phase separation is prevented via addition citric acid to the parent sol.

Automated summary

Mesoporous glass 58S has excellent bioactivity and strength. However, sintering can lead to crystallization, reducing bioactivity. The occurrence of segregation can affect the material properties of post-sintered glasses.