Fabrication and mechanical properties of bone-like tricalcium phosphate and zirconia composites

The goal of this work was to prepare and analyse bioceramic composites having varied tricalcium phosphate and zirconia content and a fixed amount of other additives. The physical properties and structure of the composites were assessed with x-ray diffraction. Various mechanical tests, including compressive strength, bending strength and Vickers hardness evaluations were performed on the prepared composites. Phase analysis of the composite structures showed the presence of zirconia, calcium zirconate, calcium phosphate, alumina and traces of aluminium phosphate. The mechanical properties of the composites improved with greater increments of zirconia, especially the composites containing 30 % and 40 % zirconia. Their mechanical properties are comparable to those of human bone. We concluded that the composites are promising as biomaterials in medical applications, especially for low load-bearing sites, such as substitutes for cancellous bone.