Bio-degradation of bioactive glass ceramics containing natural calcium phosphates

Body fluids (similar to the blood plasma) enhance apatite formation on the surface of calcium phosphate based bioceramic implants, which in turn improve the bone-binding strength of such devices. A systematic investigation of hydroxyapatite formation on the surface of bioactive glass ceramics immersed into simulated body fluids (SBF) was therefore conducted on glass ceramic samples produced from pre-treated animal bones. Significant changes of phase composition, microstructure as well as microhardness of surface prior to and after SBF-treatment were observed. Open porosity correlates with other results. Dissolved constituents (Ca and P) of bioactive glass ceramics were quantified by X-ray fluorescence analysis of SBF. Optimum conditions were determined by using microhardness, porosity, and dissolved Ca as independent variables.