CRYSTALLIZATION AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF (45S5-HA) BIOCOMPOSITE FOR BIOMEDICAL IMPLANTATION

Bioglass® (45S5) was prepared by conventional melting process and hydroxyapatite (HA) was prepared by sol-gel method. The bioglass (45S5) and hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) samples were mixed in a particular proportion to prepare composite by using hydraulic pressing. Based on thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, the composite were sintered with a suitable heat treatment process at 1000-1050 °C. The in-vitro bioactivity of samples was determined in simulated body fluid for 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. The bioactivity was examined in vitro with respect to the ability of hydroxyapatite layer formation on the surface of samples when they were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF). DTA/TGA, XRD, SEM and mechanical studies were conducted for different characteristic measurement of biocomposites. The result shows the enhancement in bioactivity and mechanical properties of (45S5-HA) biocomposites for clinical implantation.