Physical-mechanical characterization of hydroxyapatite-titanium oxide composites made by the polymeric sponge method

Bioceramics have been used as bone reconstruction materials since last decades, where hydroxyapatite is one of the most used for this purpose. However, hydroxyapatite's mechanical strength is not so high when compared to other bioceramics. This work aimed on characterizing physically and mechanically composites of HA-TiO₂. Samples were made by the polymeric sponge method with 70% - 30% wt., 60% - 40% wt. and 50% - 50% wt. of HA - TiO₂, calcined at 550 deg C for sponge burning and sintered at 1250 deg C, 1300 deg C and 1350 deg C. Samples were submitted to mechanical essays of compression and Hardness Vickers and to physical essays of water absorption, apparent density, burning linear retraction and apparent density. Results showed relatively better than those of pure hydroxyapatite and they are in accordance with the literature. (author)