Effect of sintering temperature on structure and properties of highly porous glass-ceramics

Highly porous biomaterials with a structure close to that of cancellous bone have been prepared using biogenic hydroxyapatite and glass of the SiO2-Na2O-CaO system by a replication of the polymer template structure. It has been established that during sintering of the samples the hydroxyapatite decomposes, which involves the formation of glass-ceramics containing phases of renanit NaCaPO4, calcium phosphate silicate Ca5(PO4)2SiO4, calcium pyrophosphate Ca2P2O7 and impurities of hydroxyapatite Ca5(PO4)3(OH). Structural characteristics and mechanical properties of the obtained materials are promising for the replacement of defective cancellous bone.