CHARACTERIZATION AND ANNEALING OF WET PREPARED SYNTHETIC HYDROXYAPATITE POWDERS FOR HIGH-PURITY BIOCERAMICS

This study deals with the production of hydroxyapatite, in particular following the transformations that are involved when it is synthesized at the proximity (95 degrees C) of boiling temperature of water with or without a ripening treatment. Previous studies about the degree of crystallization showed that it increases with the temperature. This work is furthermore concerned about the quality of the obtainable ceramic with the use of synthetic hydroxapatite prepared by precipitation from aqueous solution. In particular the higher the degree of crystallinity, the lower the presence of spurious phosphates during sintering. The main structure-related parameters were evaluated as a function of annealing temperature, and possible interpretations given thoroughly.