Cytocompatibility property evaluation of gas pressure sintered SiAlON–SiC composites with L929 fibroblast cells and Saos-2 osteoblast-like cells

Although the oxide ceramics have widely been investigated for their biocompatibility, non-oxide ceramics, such as SiAlON and SiC are yet to be explored in detail. Lack of understanding of the biocompatibility restricts the use of these ceramics in clinical trials. It is hence, essential to carry out proper and thorough study to assess cell adhesion, cytocompatibility and cell viability on the non-oxide ceramics for the potential applications. In this perspective, the present research work reports the cytocompatibility of gas pressure sintered SiAlON monolith and SiAlON–SiC composites with varying amount of SiC, using connective tissue cells (L929) and bone cells (Saos-2). The quantification of cell viability using MTT assay reveals the non-cytotoxic response. The cell viability has been found to be cell type dependent. An attempt has been made to discuss the cytocompatibility of the developed composites in the light of SiC content and type of sinter additives.

► SiAlON and SiAlON–SiC composite can be used as substrate for the proliferation of L929 mouse fibroblast and Saos-2 osteoblast-like cells.
► Addition of SiC to SiAlON matrix does not degrade cytocompatibility property.
► The cell viability of the SiAlON–SiC is found to be cell type dependent.
► The use of Yb–Sm–Ca as sinter-aid appears to degrade cell viability of L929 cells.