Processing and properties of a bioactive glass-ceramic reinforced with ductile silver particles

In order to overcome the problem of an adverse interfacial reaction which occurs when bioactive 'Apoceram' glass-ceramic is reinforced with titanium particles, we have investigated employing silver as the reinforcement. Composites reinforced with 10vol%silver were successfully produced by two routes, namely hot pressing and cold forming followed by sintering and crystallisation. There was no difference in the microstructure of the matrices other than the presence of large (similar to10 mum) pores in the materials produced by the cold formed route. The matrices were free from microcracks and no reaction was observed between the matrix and the silver particles. The flexural strength and single edge notched bend toughness were determined at room temperature for the composites and the corresponding monolithic materials. Although the strength of cold formed monolithic material was poor compared with that produced via hot pressing, there was no difference in the mechanical properties of the composites produced by the two routes. It is therefore recommended that future development of the composites should concentrate on the less expensive cold-forming route. (C) 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers.