Nanocomposites films have been processed from a filler and a matrix having the same nature, i.e. waxy maize starch. The filler consists of nanoplatelet-like starch particles obtained as an aqueous suspension by acid hydrolysis of starch granules and the matrix was prepared by plasticization and disruption of starch granules with water and sorbitol. Nanocomposite films were obtained by casting and evaporating the mixture of the aqueous suspension of starch nanocrystals with the gelatinized starch. The resulting films were conditioned before testing and the effect of accelerated ageing in moist atmosphere was investigated. The thermal properties of the nanocomposite films were determined from DSC measurements and the mechanical characterization was performed in both the linear and nonlinear range.

This paper reports results on the sintering behaviour of hydroxyapatite (HAP) for various compositions and its resultant flexural strength. The HAP decomposition occurs at higher temperatures for sintered compacts than for powder and their OH stoichiometry depends on the porosity-closing temperature. The mechanical behaviour of HAP depends on its composition: the best results are obtained for HAP containing tricalcium phosphate (TCP), whereas for nearly pure HAP the flexural strength decreases to the lowest results corresponding to HAP containing CaO. It is suggested that the strengthening of HAP by TCP involves surface compression due to the p + CI TCP transformation.