Low modulus and bioactive Ti/α-TCP/Ti-mesh composite prepared by spark plasma sintering

- 70Ti/α-TCP/Ti mesh was successfully prepared by SPS at low temperatures.
- There is almost no phase reaction for the sintering of the composite at lower than 900 °C.
- The composite exhibits high compressive strength, low modulus and good bioactivity.
- The composite has high potential applications for orthopedic implants.

A titanium mesh scaffold composite filled with Ti/α-TCP particles was prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The microstructures and interfacial reactions of the composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The compressive strength and elastic modulus were also measured. In vitro bioactivity and biocompatibility was evaluated by using simulated body fluid and cells culture, respectively. After high temperature sintering, Ti oxides, TixPy and CaTiO3 were formed. The formation of Ti oxides and TixPy were resulted from the diffusion of O and P elements from α-TCP to Ti. CaTiO3 was the reaction product of Ti and α-TCP. The composite of 70Ti/α-TCP incorporated with Ti mesh showed a high compressive strength of 589 MPa and a low compressive modulus of 30 GPa. The bioactivity test showed the formation of a thick apatite layer on the composite and well-spread cells attachment. A good combination of mechanical properties and bioactivity indicated a high potential application of Ti/α-TCP/Ti-mesh composite for orthopedic implants.