Hydroxyapatite sintering in the presence of LiFePO4

Abstract

Sintering of hydroxyapatite attracts attention for decades with the final aim to obtain reliable materials for bio-applications. Various kind of sintering techniques as well as sintering additives were investigated to obtain desired functional properties. Previously, sintering was performed in the presence of lithium phosphate, with certain improvements. This paper describes sintering behavior of hydroxyapatite in the presence of LiFePO4. The added material melts around 960 °C, what is usually the temperature of hydroxyapatite intermediate sintering stage. The formed liquid phase could improve atomic motion between hydroxyapatite particles, with possibility of intergranular reinforcing phase formation. Potential interfacial reactions and its influence on microstructural properties of sintered material will be studied.