Effect of addition of varying percentages of barium titanate on the properties of beta-tricalcium phosphate

This study examines the effect of barium titanate addition at 3 different rates (BaTiO₃; 1wt%, 3 wt% and 5 wt%) on the mechanical performance, in vitro bioactivity and morphological structure of beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). The best results for β-TCP were achieved after sintering at 1200^oC and with an average grain size of 5.077 ± 0.571 µ. However, sintering at 1250^oC caused a 45% increase in the grain size of β-TCP, micro cracking and decomposition of 3.2% into alpha tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) resulting in a decrease in its properties. Depending on the BaTiO₃ ratio, 9 different phases with general chemical compositions of Ba_x/Ca_y-Ti_m-O_n, as well as α-TCP, were detected in the composites. As the sintering temperature and BaTiO₃ ratio increased, the α-TCP ratio in the composites increased to 49.7%. The highest mechanical performances in composites were achieved at the sintering temperature of 1200^oC and with the addition of 3wt%-BaTiO₃. In vitro studies showed that the surface of this composite was completely covered with apatite on the 28th day.