Sintering of Hydroxyapatite Ceramics, with the Aid of Optical Transmittance — Temperature Spectra

Abstract

The optical transmittance — temperature spectra of well-translucent thin pellets of hydroxyapatite prepared by the high isostatic pressure consolidation of xerogel particles were measured by a newly-developed thermal analysis technique. From these spectra, it was possible to identify temperature intervals with increased or decreased levels of light transmittance, clearly associated with microstructural changes. The thermal processing of treated pellets was stopped at temperatures deliberately chosen with respect to the specific transmittance states. Samples with increased transparency were prepared when the heating of pellets was stopped at the temperatures of the locally highest light transmittance measured.