The influence of sintering temperature on the porosity and strength of porous hydroxyapatite ceramics

The present paper reports on the influence of sintering temperature on the porosity and strength of porous hydroxyapatite (HA). HA powder was first prepared by the sol-gel precipitation method using calcium hydroxide and ortho-phosporic acid. The fine HA powder, measuring <50 microm was then mixed into a slurry with the addition of binder agent, being a mixture of sago and PVA. A small amount of sodium dodecyl sulphate was also used as a foaming agent. Porous HA samples were then prepared via slip casting technique. The surface morphology of the sintered samples was observed under scanning electron microscopy at 20 kV and the compositions were determined via SEM-EDX. A universal testing machine was used to determine the compaction strength of the sintered samples.