Part II - Microstructural and Physical of Calcium Phosphate Biomaterials Obtained from Natural Raw Materials

Abstract

Calcium phosphate bioceramics obtained from raw materials are potential bone substitutes in orthopedic and dental applications. Calcium phosphates attained from calcareous shells using wet methods provide an interconnected microporous framework, shown to be promising and contribute to cell adhesion and proliferation. This study aimed to characterize three different calcium phosphate ratio compositions: (i)1.4, (ii)1.6 and (iii)1.7 molar, sintered for 2 hours at 1100°C and 1200°C. Scanning electron microscopy field effect [FEG] and confocal were used to assess microstructural characterization and Arthur method to determine open porosity. FEG and confocal analyses showed good grain coalescence, sinterability and well defined interfaces for all Ca/P molar at 1100°C and 1200°C. Open porosity and hydrostatic density exhibit better results when using Ca/P molar ratio (iii)1.7 at 1100°C. The results showed that open porosity is related to Ca/P ratio and by temperature. As the Ca/P increases so does the open porosity. Inversely occurs for temperature. As the temperature increases the porosity decreases and in parallel, the grain size increases.