Study of diopside ceramics for biomaterials

Diopside was prepared by sintering a powder compact of composition CaO-MgO-2SiO(2) at 1300 degrees C for 2 h. The bending strength of diopside was 300 MPa and the fracture toughness was 3.5 MPa m(1/2). It was proved that diopside has no general toxicity in cell culture. Diopside implanted in rabbits came in close contact with the newly grown bone. X-ray microanalysis spectral diagrams show a change of composition across the junction from the diopside to the newly grown bone. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed crystal growth at the interface between diopside and the newly grown bone, and continuity between diopside lattices and those of the new crystals. (C) 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers.