X-ray Diffraction and FTIR Study on Heating Effects of Dentin from Mammoth Tusk

Heating effects on dentin from mammoth tusks were examined by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometric (FTIR), techniques. Dentin samples were sectioned into rectangular plates of about 10×5×1mm in size, using a low speed diamond saw. Heating treatment was carried out using a differential thermal analyzer. It was shown that the organic materials of the dentin were about 32 wt%, and combusted at a temperature range of 200°C to 600°C, showing the coupled exotherm resulting in the release of the inorganic apatite phase from the closely related dentin collagen, and that the exotherm at 700°C related to the crystalline phase transformation from the intermediate phase to crystalline β-TCP. This study suggested that the magnesium components in mammoth tusk dentin manage or control the crystalline phase transformation.