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Pressure sintering of apatite-collagen composite
K Hirota1, K Nishihara, H Tanaka
1National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials, Ibaraki, Japan.
Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Researchers successfully synthesized an apatite-collagen composite using high pressure and temperature. Liquid water was essential for sintering, resulting in a durable material stable in water.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Materials Engineering
- Biomineralization
Background:
- Apatite and collagen are key components of natural bone.
- Developing synthetic bone-like materials is crucial for biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a composite material mimicking bone structure using apatite and collagen.
- To investigate the effect of synthesis conditions, particularly the presence of water, on composite properties.
Main Methods:
- A composite of 90wt% apatite and 10wt% collagen was prepared from an aqueous solution.
- Synthesis was performed at 40°C and 200 MPa, with and without liquid water.
- Material properties including density, Young's modulus, and compression strength were measured.
Main Results:
- A dense apatite-collagen composite (1.75 g/ml density, 2 GPa Young's modulus, 6.5 MPa compression strength) was successfully synthesized.
- The presence of liquid water was critical for successful sintering under high pressure, preventing residual strain.
- The resulting composite was machinable with a razor blade and stable in water, with apatite crystals measuring 10 nm x 40 nm.
Conclusions:
- High-pressure synthesis in the presence of liquid water is an effective method for creating apatite-collagen composites.
- The synthesized material exhibits promising mechanical properties and stability for potential biomaterial applications.
- Understanding the role of water in high-pressure sintering is key for optimizing composite fabrication.