SURFACE MODIFICATIONS OF A GLASS AND A GLASS-CERAMIC OF THE MGO-3CAO-CENTER-DOT-P2O5-SIO2 SYSTEM IN A SIMULATED BODY-FLUID

A glass of nominal composition (wt%) 17.25 MgO-52.75 3CaO P2O5-30 SiO2 and a glass-ceramic obtained from it showed surface modifications whe n immersed in an acellular medium having a composition similar to that of human blood plasma. A (Ca, P)-rich layer, with an approximate Ca/P atomic ratio of 1.7, identified as hydroxyapatite, developed on both samples. The precipitated film on the glassy sample was weakly bonded, whereas that formed on the glass-ceramic was strongly adherent. The a patite precipitated during the in vitro tests on both samples grew as a needle-like structure with crystals about 150-200 nm long and 50-70 nm thick, as measured on specimens soaked for 1 month in the simulated body fluid (SBF). The presence of calcium and phosphate ions in the S BF contributed to the precipitation of the (Ca, P)-rich layers on both specimens.