Bone-Like Apatite-Forming Ability of Ca3(PO4)2-CaMg(SiO3)2 Ceramics in Simulated Body Fluid

In this study a ceramic composite with nominal composition 40 wt% Ca3(PO4)2 – 60 wt% CaMg(SiO3)2 was obtained by solid state sintering of compacts of both synthetic fine powders. The ceramic composite showed a fine grained and homogeneous microstructure consisting of CaMg(SiO3)2 and b-Ca3(PO4)2 grains. The results of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that, during soaking in SBF, the grains of β-Ca3(PO4)2 dissolved preferably than those of CaMg(SiO3)2, leaving a porous surface layer rich in CaMg(SiO3)2. Subsequently, partial dissolution of the remaining CaMg(SiO3)2 occurred and the porous surface of the b-Ca3(PO4)2-CaMg(SiO3)2 ceramic became coated by a bone-like apatite layer after 7 days in SBF.