Phase stability of hydroxyapatite–zirconia (HAp–ZrO2) composites for bone replacement

During the production of biomedical hydroxyapatite–zirconia (HAp–ZrO2) composites new phases which determine the biocompatibility of implant materials may occur in the system. These phenomena may be associated both with the phase decomposition of hydroxyapatite itself and the interactions between the matrix material and particles of reinforcing zirconia phase. The work deals with the investigations of phase stability of HAp–ZrO2 composites at high temperature. The composites studied have been in the form of dense sinters obtained by the hot pressing process. q 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.