Interfacial reactions in hydroxyapatite/alumina nanocomposites

The integrity of composites is determined by the interfacial reactions that take place during processing. The interfacial reaction between hydroxyapatite and alumina has been studied. It was found that alumina completely reacted with hydroxyapatite and formed alumina-rich calcium aluminates at relatively low temperatures. This has been attributed to the diffusion of Ca2+ from hydroxyapatite into the alumina matrix. The depletion of Ca2+ from hydroxyapatite leads to the decomposition of hydroxyapatite in to tricalcium phosphate at lower temperatures. (c) 2006 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.