Microwave Plasma Sintering of Porous HA/β-TCP Biphasic Bioceramics

Aimed at solving the problems on sintering of Ca-P bioceramics by using a conventional furnace, such as high sintering temperature, long holding time, large grain size and the difficulty to enhance the bioactive and the mechanical strength simultaneously, porous HA/β-TCP biphasic bioceramics were prepared by using a microwave plasma method. The properties of specimens were compared to those of specimens sintered by a conventional furnace. The comparison shows that plasma sintered specimens exhibit a higher linear shrinkage and densification rate, smaller grain size and higher compressive strength. After incubating in SBF, the amount of bone-like apatite formed on the specimens sintered by microwave plasma is more than that of specimens sintered by a conventional furnace. The results indicate that porous HA/β-TCP biphasic bioceramics sintered by microwave plasma have better mechanical properties and also may have better biological properties.