Calcite Bone Substitute Prepared from Calcium Hydroxide Compact Using Heat-Treatment under Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether calcite blocks with high mechanical property could be obtained for a short period from calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) compact using heat-treatment under carbon dioxide (CO2) atmosphere. The Ca(OH)2 disks compacted with different pressure was heated at different temperature ranging from 200°C to 800°C for an hour under CO2 atmosphere. From the X-ray diffractometry, Ca(OH)2 converted into calcite along with the rise of the heating temperature. Small amount of unreacted Ca(OH)2 remained in samples heated at 600°C whereas samples treated at 800°C converted to calcite with very small amount of calcium oxide. The diametral tensile strength (DTS) value increased with the rise of heating temperature up to 600°C then decreased down to 800°C. Meanwhile, the porosity decreased with the rise of heating temperature up to 600°C then slightly increased up to 800°C. From the scanning electron microscope observation, grains grew bigger along with the rise of heating temperature. Intergranular space between grains decreased from 200°C to 600°C. The highest DTS value (14 MPa±1.3) at 600°C could be the result of lesser intergranular space due to sintering.