Slip Casting Derived α-TCP/HA Biphasic Ceramics

Biphasic α-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite (α-TCP/HA) calcium phosphate (BCP) is prepared through a modified slip casting based method: α-TCP powders are dispersed in the HA precursor solutions to form castable slurries, then the slurries are poured into round mold. After curing, the slurries turn into cakes. Room temperature curing leads the cakes to contain α-TCP and HA phases. Higher temperature heat treatment will result in the increase of HA content, while even higher temperature will leads the cakes to be triphasic. Low temperature derived BCP have particular microstructure with HA covers the surface of α-TCP powders, and these powders further agglomerate into large blocks. After higher temperature treatment, β-TCP dominates the cake and microporous structure is resulted.