Effect of Alumina on Microstructure and Compressive Strength of a Porous Silicated Hydroxyapatite

Purpose We investigated the effects of alumina addition on microstructure and compressive strength of a porous silicate substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HA). Methods Hydroxyapatite (HA) was synthesized under precipitation conditions and 10 %Wt. of sol–gel derived CaO. P ₂ O ₅ .SiO ₂ based bioglass (BG) powder was added to HA. Polyurethane foam was used to form a high porous structure with integral porosity of 70%. Phase analysis was performed using XRD and FTIR and the microstructure was studied using SEM. Results The results confirmed that the Si-HA was the only formed phase before Al ₂ O ₃ addition while after addition the presence of silicon-incorporated HA and alumina without any other phases was proved using these analyses. Conclusions The porous structures of Si-HA and Al ₂ O ₃ were synthesized using the replication technique. The compressive strength of porous bioceramics increased with increasing Al ₂ O ₃ content up to 30 wt % (ANOVA, p<.05).