A study on alumina zircon ceramics as biomaterials

Abstract

Implant materials are made of polymers, metals, ceramics, and composites. Thistype of medical materials always contact with cells, tissues, organs and organ systems.Before wide applications, they should be tested in terms of toxicity, carcinogenity,antigenity, and mutagenity. In other words, they must not have any side effects on thebiological systems.In this study, varying compositions of (10, 15,20,25,30% Zr02) Alumina-Zirconmixtures were prepared. They were pressed at 350 kg/cm2 in tablet form, in open air andsintered at 1680°CMicrohardness tests, X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, SEM studies andsubcutaneous tissue reactions (using rats) were performed.In in-vivo testing of ceramics containing 15, 20 and 30 % zircon, didn't form anyforeign body reaction, for two months period of implantation. 20% zircon containingsample has the highest hardness value, about 1600 Vickers hardness number which is lessthan that of pure alumina.It is found that some compositions of alumina-zircon mixtures are promising interms of candidate implant material. But more tests should be performed to come in exactconclusion.