Original implementation of low-temperature SPS for bioactive glass used as a bone biomaterial

Abstract

Alkali borated bioactive glasses powders with compositions based on the SiO2–Na2O–CaO–P2O5-x B2O3 system (0 < x < 20 wt%); have been consolidated at low temperature using Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). Through SPS technique under 50 MPa, it was possible to achieve fully dense and completely amorphous borated glasses at temperatures as low as 420 °C. By increasing the sintering temperature up to 430 °C, the dense samples crystallized which is mostly achieved at higher temperatures. This study reveals that the mechanical properties of these new borated biomaterials are suitable to be used as a promising candidate for repairing defects in non-load-bearing bones as well as for coating on the metallic surface implants to improve the bioactivity process bone/implant. The pressure had a weak effect on the crystallization and densification of the glass compared to the temperature during the powder consolidation by SPS. Moreover, by increasing the boron content, the compressive strength and the elastic modulus of the elaborated glasses decreased for being close to those of the natural.