Diopside was prepared by sintering a powder compact of composition CaO-MgO-
2SiO(2) at 1300 degrees C for 2 h. The bending strength of diopside was 300
MPa and the fracture toughness was 3.5 MPa m(1/2). It was proved that diop
side has no general toxicity in cell culture. Diopside implanted in rabbits
came in close contact with the newly grown bone. X-ray microanalysis spect
ral diagrams show a change of composition across the junction from the diop
side to the newly grown bone. High-resolution transmission electron microsc
opy revealed crystal growth at the interface between diopside and the newly
grown bone, and continuity between diopside lattices and those of the new
crystals. (C) 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers.