ABSTRACT
The target of the recent study is to achieve a significant inexpensive and eco-friendly way for getting ZTA/HA composites, based on the nano-HA derived from the eggshell biogenic source. Combining simultaneously the porous structure; which is considered as a bone formation key, with developed mechanical properties and adequate biocompatibility, is another purpose of this study. Furthermore, the impact of ZTA addition from 10-30 mass-%, fabricated by uniaxial pressing and sintering at 1200-1300 °C for 2 h, on the physical and mechanical properties, microstructure and phase composition of ZTA/HA composite bodies was investigated. The results demonstrated that the increasing of ZTA content increases the bodies' apparent porosity and decreases the bulk density due to the decomposition of HA into ß-TCP. Where the formation of ß-TCP possessed the predominant impact on the mechanical properties of the sintered ZTA/HA composites. ICP, SEM, EDX and thin film XRD results of composites containing 20 mass-% ZTA affirmed the excellent bioactivity of the bodies.
