Preparation and characterization of hydroxyapatite suspensions for solid freeform fabrication

A comparative investigation on particle size, zeta potential and rheology behavior of suspensions of hydroxyapatite (HA) powders produced by a wet-chemical synthesis method is presented. Results have shown that temperature and soaking time of the calcination process significantly affects the HA particle size, and results in a reduction of the zeta potential and suspension viscosity. On the basis of the present experimental and calculated results, the reduction in the viscosity is attributed to a higher repulsion barrier in interparticle potential.