The Effect of Zirconia Reinforcing Agents on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Hydroxyapatite‐Based Nanocomposites

Abstract

A hydrothermally treated zirconia colloid was introduced during the precipitation of hydroxyapatite (HAP) to achieve an HAP–zirconia nanocomposite. High dispersion of zirconia was achieved at zirconia loadings below 8 wt%. Vickers hardness was optimized with a 1.5 wt% loading of zirconia. A low loading (1.5 wt%) of tetragonal zirconia was able to increase the bending strength of nanocrystalline HAP from 183 to 243 MPa. This HAP–zirconia nanocomposite was sintered to full density by 1000°C under an applied load of 50 MPa. The average grain sizes of HAP and zirconia were maintained at ≤100 nm. With the high strength and low loading of secondary phase, these HAP‐based nanocomposites should be attractive for orthopedic and dental implant applications.