Sintering Effect on Mechanical Properties of Composites of Hydroxyapatite Lanthanum Oxide (HA-La2O3)

Composites of calcinated bovine bone derived hydroxyapatite (HA) with 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 wt % La2O3 were prepared by sintering. The experimental results indicated that compression strength and microhardness of HA-La2O3 composites increase when the content of La2O3 and sintering temperature increase. The best mechanical properties were achieved after sintering at 1300°C. The results are in agreement with densification measurements and microstructure analysis.