Author : Imen Sallemi, Jamel Bouaziz and Foued Ben Ayed

The effect of the sintering temperature on the mechanical properties of the tricalcium phosphate – zirconia composites were investigated between 1300°C and 1600°C and with different quantities of tricalcium phosphate (25 wt%, 50 wt% and 75 wt%). The characteristics of the samples after and before the sintering process were realized by differential thermal analysis, dilatometry, X-ray diffraction, 31P magic angle scanning nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscope and mechanical testing with the Brazilian test. The mechanical strength of the tricalcium phosphate – zirconia composites increased with the sintering temperature. At 1600°C, the mechanical properties of the tricalcium phosphate – 75 wt% zirconia composites achieved their maximum value. The addition of tricalcium phosphate stabilized the structure of zirconia and partially prevented the inverse allotropic transformation from the tetragonal phase to the monoclinic phase.

Keywords: Sintering process, Mechanical properties, Composites, Microstructure, Tricalcium phosphate, Zirconia, Bioceramic.

Article published in International Journal of Current  Engineering  and Technology, Vol.3,No.5(Dec- 2013)