A novel hardystonite bioceramic: preparation and characteristics

Hardystonite (Ca2ZnSi2O7) ceramics were prepared by sintering hardystonite sol–gel derived powder compacts at 1350 °C for 5 h, and their sinterability and mechanical properties were investigated. The biocompatibility of hardystonite ceramics was evaluated by culturing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) on the ceramics. The results showed the bending strength and fracture toughness of hardystonite ceramics to be 136 MPa, and 1.24 MPa m1/2, respectively. SEM showed that BMMSC were attached and spread well on the hardystonite ceramics. Our preliminary studies indicate that hardystonite ceramics possess improved bending strength and fracture toughness as compared to hydroxyapatite (HAp), and may possess good biocompatibility.