Reinforcement of Hydroxyapatite Bioceramic by Addition of Ti ₃ SiC ₂

Abstract

Ti 3 SiC 2 /HAp composites with different Ti 3 SiC 2 volume fractions were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1200°C. The effects of Ti 3 SiC 2 addition on the mechanical properties and microstructures of the composites were investigated. The bending strength and fracture toughness of the composites increased with increasing of Ti 3 SiC 2 content, whereas the Vickers hardness decreased. The bending strength and fracture toughness reached 252±10 MPa and 3.9±0.1 MPa·m 1/2 , respectively, with the addition of 50 vol% Ti 3 SiC 2 . The increases in the mechanical properties were attributed to the matrix strengthening and interactions between cracks and the Ti 3 SiC 2 platelets.