Elaboration and characterization of fluorapatite ceramic with controlled porosity

Porous fluorapatite ceramics were fabricated using poly vinyl butyral as a porosifier. The conditions of specimens heat treating were optimized. The effects of preparation conditions involving poly vinyl butyral particle concentration, sintering time, and forming pressure (die-pressing technique) on the resultant pore size/structure as well as the pore size distribution were investigated. The experimental results showed that the Fap ceramics with controlled pore characteristics such as pore volume fraction, pore size and pore structure are achievable. It provides the possibility to design Fap ceramics with diverse porosities simulating that of natural bone.