CHARACTERIZATION AND ANNEALING OF WET PREPARED SYNTHETIC HYDROXYAPATITE POWDERS FOR HIGH-PURITY BIOCERAMICS

This study deals with the production of hydroxyapatite, in particular following the transformations that are involved when it is synthesized at the proximity (95 degrees C) of boiling temperature of water with or without a ripening treatment. Previous studies about the degree of crystallization showed that it increases with the temperature. This wo rk is furthermore concerned about the quality of the obtainable cerami c with the use of synthetic hydroxapatite prepared by precipitation fr om aqueous solution. In particular the higher the degree of crystallin ity, the lower the presence of spurious phosphates during sintering. T he main structure-related parameters were evaluated as a function of a nnealing temperature, and possible interpretations given thoroughly.