Effect of Addition of ZrO2 on Biaxial Flexural Strength of Calcium Phosphate Ceramics

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of addition of ZrO2 on the biaxial flexural strength (BFS) of ceramics fabricated using a conventional powder technology. Various compositions of hydroxyapatite (HAp) Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 and zirconia powder ZrO2, ranging from 10 to 90 wt% ZrO2, were prepared using a wet mixing process. Ten compacts (13.5mm3mm) were made for each group, pressed and sintered in air at sintering temperatures from 1100 to 1450oC for up to 12 hours. The bulk density, porosity, linear shrinkage and BFS. The porosity reduced and linear shrinkage increased with increasing sintering temperature and amounts of zirconia, whereas the sintering time had little effect. The highest mean value achieved for the BFS was 26920 MPa for a composition of 70% ZrO2 and 30% HAp fired at 1450oCfor 6 hours. From the experimental results can be conclude that sintering temperature and composition affect densification behaviour of calcium phosphate/ ZrO2 composites. The BFS increases with a reduction of porosity and increases with both sintering temperature and additions of ZrO2. It was noted that there is considerable scope for improvement in the BFS values by reducing the porosity of these composites.