Synthesis, sintering and microstructure of beta-tricalcium phosphate for prosthetic applications

Oxide and Bio-ceramic Section, Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata-700 032, India

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Manuscript received 29 September 2000. revised 12 January 2001, accepted 10 March 2001

A method is described for preparing dense, polycrystalline beta-tricalcium phosphate. The phase composition of the precipitate made by mixing Ca(OH)₂ and H₃PO₄ solutions with subsequent drying and calcining has been studied as a function of initial mixing Ca/P molar ratio. Pure beta-tricalcium phosphate is prepared with initial Ca/P = 1.2 and without any pH control. Effects of milling time of calcined powder on the sintering behavior and microstructural development examined. Grinding for a longer time helps in achieving a relatively high density and fine-grain microstructure at 1200°. The synthesized powder of beta-TCP shows good biocom-patibility and no cytotoxicity.