Microchannelled hydroxyapatite components by sequential freeze drying and free pressureless spark plasma sintering

Novel freeze drying, free pressureless spark plasma sintering (FPSPS) processing sequence is developed for the production of hydroxyapatite (HAP) based microchannelled structures. The processed specimens are characterised by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, porosity measurements and compressive tests. The compressive strength is different for different loading orientations. The compressive strength is higher in the loading direction parallel to the channel direction than the compressive strength in the loading direction perpendicular to the channel direction. Manipulation of freeze drying and FPSPS conditions should thereby enable the optimisation of the final properties of the processed porous HAP based microchannelled structures.