Sintering effects on mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite-titanium dioxide (HA-TiO₂) composites

Composites of bovine bone derived HA with 5 wt% and 10 wt% of TiO ₂ were sintered at different temperatures. Their characterization comprised measurements of density, microhardness, and compression strength together with SEM observations and X-ray diffraction analysis. Better densification behaviour was achieved at higher sintering temperatures. The highest microhardness value was measured in the samples sintered at 1300°C. The best compressive strengths of the samples containing 5% and 10% TiO ₂ were obtained after sintering at 1300°C and 1200°C, respectively.