Investigation on phase separation, nucleation and crystallization in bioactive glass-ceramics containing fluorophlogopite and fluorapatite

Abstract

Apatite and mica-containing glass-ceramics in the system K 2OMgOCaOAl 2O 3B 2O 3 SiO 2P 2O 5F can be used to repair and reconstruct diseased or damaged bones and teeth, due to their biocompatibility and bioactivity. Like other glass-ceramics, the properties of these machinable glass-ceramics depend on composition, size and volumetric ratios of the crystalline phases in the materials. Phase separation, nucleation and crystallisation of these multi-phase glass-ceramics were investigated with DTA, SEM/EDAX, XRD and FTIR techniques. The phase relationships are discussed with regard to crystal chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics.