Microstructure evolution, grain growth kinetics and mechanical properties of Ca2MgSi2O7 bioceramics sintered at various temperatures

Akermanite (Ca2MgSi2O7) ceramic powders were prepared by a wet solid-state synthesis process using a mixture of oxide sources. The mechanism of phase formation included the formation of transition compounds such as diopside and merwinite. The compacted disks of the dried mixture were sintered at 1200, 1225 and 1250?C for different dwell times (2, 4 and 6 h). The effect of sintering temperature on the physical properties (relative density and diameter shrinkage), grain growth kinetics (grain growth activation energy) and mechanical properties (flexural strength) of the akermanite ceramics were evaluated. It was shown that the increase in sintering temperature from 1200 to 1250?C decreased the porosity and increased the diameter shrinkage and relative density of Ca2MgSi2O7 ceramics. The grain growth activation energy was also found to increase with the increase of sintering temperature. Finally, the increase in density yielded ceramics with high mechanical strength.