Hydroxyapatite (Ca5(P04)3(0H)) is an
effective material for artificial human bone production. Hydroxyapatite
powders were hydrothermally produced in this work by reacting
Ca(OH)2 with Na3PO4·12H2O in
an autoclave at various temperature and for various times. The particle size
of hydroxyapatite was observed to be very fine, uniform, around 50 nm, as
well as independent of reaction time.
The hydroxyapatite powders were compacted and sintered at various
temperatures for 2 hrs. The density, grain size, and hardness of the
hydroxyapatite ceramics were measured and compared with those of the
hydroxyapatite ceramics produced by the powders from the commercial source.
The hydroxyapatite ceramics from the hydrothermal powders were found to have
a higher density, smaller grain size, and higher hardness.
After the hydroxyapatite ceramics were dipped in a simulated biological body
liquid for 10 days, the density and hardness of the hydrooxyapatite ceramics
from the hydrothermal powders were less deteriorated than those of the
hydroxyapatite ceramics from the commercial powder.