IMPROVEMENT IN MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HYDROXYAPATITE OBJECTS WITH CONTROLLED POROSITY MADE BY MODIFIED GELCASTING PROCESS

摘要

Modified gelcasting process (MGCP) was used to manufacture Hydroxyapatite (HAp) objects with controlled porosity. Micro- and macro-porosity are present in all samples and are controlled by using a pore-forming agent during the process. Although it is possible to obtain almost any shape, mechanical properties are poor after the consolidation at high temperature. Porous HAp objects were immersed into a solution of collagen-like molecules (CLM) in order to obtain a hybrid material with synergically improved mechanical properties. X-ray powder diffraction, Infra red Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques were used to analyze samples before and after the modified gelcasting processing. Mechanical characterization was carried out in samples with and without the modification with CLM, to see the improvement in the mechanical properties.