Fabrication and antibacterial properties of hydroxyapatite-based housings of vibration humidifiers

Housings of vibration humidifiers were fabricated using hydroxyapatite modified by different concentrations of polyethylene glycol, a plasticizer. The influence of the plasticizer concentration on the compressive and bending strengths of the housings was analysed. The highest compressive and bending strengths were 423.9 MPa and 620 MPa for samples containing 5 wt.% and 7 wt.% of plasticizer, respectively. The highest hardness was 480 HV for the sample containing 7 wt.% of plasticizer. After being submerged in the humidifier water for 7 days, an antibacterial test confirmed that the water in the humidifier containing a hydroxyapatite-based housing had antibacterial properties.