The Effect of Sodium Alginate on the Properties of Hydroxyapatite

The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of sodium alginate on the physical, mechanical and morphology of non-sinter of hydroxyapatite. The ceramic based materials as hydroxyapatite and natural polymer as sodium alginate composite materials are investigated based on their application of bone implants in biomedical fields. Precipitation method was performed to prepare HA/SA powder. The hardness and fracture toughness was identified by using Vickers Hardness Test. The density of compacted powders was increased and attained highest density at 97/3% (HA/SA) about 1.46 g/cm3. The Vickers indentation was used to determine the fracture toughness of brittle materials by measure the crack of the sample due to the ease of sample preparation and simplicity of this test. The morphology, particle size and distribution of microstructure surfaces were characterized by using a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). The powder characterization is important to identify the crystalline composition that exists in the mixed powder. Hydroxyapatite (HA)/sodium alginate (SA) are characterized through XRD. The crystallinity of XRD powder can be identified by testing the lattice parameter that existed in the various parameter.