Regular Article

Mechanical strength characterization and modeling of hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate biocomposite using the diametral-compression test

¹ Laboratory of Thermodynamics and Energetics, University Ibn-Zohr, Faculty of Sciences, Agadir BP 8106, Morocco
² Laboratory of Engineering Sciences for Energy, National School of Applied Sciences of El Jadida, BP 1166, EL Jadida Plateau 24002, Morocco
³ Laboratory of Applied Chemistry of Materials, Faculty of Sciences, University of Mohammed V in Rabat, Rabat BP.1014, Morocco
⁴ Department of Chemistry, Engineering Physics and Astronomy, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
⁵ Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
⁶ Laboratory of Advanced Materials, National School of Engineering, Sfax, Tunisia

^* e-mail: nunzijm@queensu.ca

Received: 1 December 2020
Received in final form: 20 January 2021
Accepted: 2 February 2021
Published online: 17 March 2021

Abstract

This study reports the enhanced mechanical resistance of the composite bioceramics of hydroxyapatite (HAP) and tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) used as bone substitute. HAP/β-TCP mixture was prepared by wet mixing of powders and characterized. Effects of powder manufacturing and sintering temperature on the densification, microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite were studied. The rupture strength (σ_r) was calculated using the Brazilian test. At 1250 °C, the relative density and mechanical strength of the HAP/β-TCP ceramics reached the maximum value of 89% and 43 MPa, respectively. Experimental results were modeled by the finite element method to determine the stress distribution in the compacted disc.