The three-dimensional, highly oriented pore channel anatomy of native rattan (Calamus rotang) was used as a template to fabricate biomorphous hydroxyapatite (Ca(5)(PO(4))(3)OH) ceramics designed for bone regeneration scaffolds. A low viscous hydroxyapatite-sol was prepared from triethyl phosphite and calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and repeatedly vacuum infiltrated into the native template. The template was subsequently pyrolysed at 800 degrees C to form a biocarbon replica of the native tissue. Heat treatment at 1,300 degrees C in air atmosphere caused oxidation of the carbon skeleton and sintering of the hydroxyapatite. SEM analysis confirmed detailed replication of rattan anatomy. Porosity of the samples measured by mercury porosimetry showed a multimodal pore size distribution in the range of 300 nm to 300 microm. Phase composition was determined by XRD and FT-IR revealing hydroxyapatite as the dominant phase with minimum fractions of CaO and Ca(3)(PO(4))(2). The biomorphous scaffolds with a total porosity of 70-80% obtained a compressive strength of 3-5 MPa in axial direction and 1-2 MPa in radial direction of the pore channel orientation. Bending strength was determined in a coaxial double ring test resulting in a maximum bending strength of approximately 2 MPa.

To completely understand wear mechanisms of mixed ceramic cutting tools (Al 2 O 3 -TiC), residual stress states and the superposition of external loads during hard turning should be investigated.This can be done via X-ray diffraction using high-energy synchrotron radiation to determine lattice strains in the material. For this reason, in first model tests, strain states in mixed ceramics were determined during the application of external loads. An experimental setup was developed to measure lattice strains in the different phases of the ceramic material in situ during thermal, mechanical and thermo-mechanical loading for first reference. The accuracy of the setup was sufficient to clearly determine shifts in lattice parameters in the different phases due to external loads. By applying a thermal load on the mixed ceramic material the two main phases showed different elastic lattice strains. Thus, a slightly lower coefficient of thermal expansion in the Al 2 O 3 -phase than in the Ti(O,C)-phase could be determined. This indicated the development of compressive stresses in Al 2 O 3 -phase and tensile stresses in Ti(O,C)-phase at room temperature. By applying external bending stresses to the mixed ceramic material, for both phases equal lattice strains could be determined. From these strains stresses could be calculated for both phases which were in the same order of magnitude as external stresses. With further in situ investigations of strain and stress states in the different phases of mixed ceramics during friction and turning experiments a more comprehensive characterization of wear mechanisms is possible.

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