Sintering of the ultrahigh pressure densified hydroxyapatite monolithic xerogels

Dense and translucent ceramics were prepared by sintering of cylindrical preforms of hydroxyapatite extruded from xerogels. Extruded specimens were dried as monoliths and then consolidated by applying cold isostatic pressure, ranging from 500 to 1500 MPa. Upon heating the samples began to densify at 610 degrees C, and the densification/sintering was completed at 870 degrees C as was evidenced by the dilatometry plot indicating no further shrinkage. The sintered specimens thus formed were translucent in appearance. Further heating of the samples up to 1200 degrees C resulted in their ''bloating'' or creation of pores in the originally dense matrix. Pore creation within the structure is reproducible, it proceeds from the surface to the interior of the sample, and its spreading can be thermally controlled. Pore evolution within the single phase dense polycrystalline material is not related to the frequently occurring phenomenon of microcracking in ceramics during cooling.