Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-HAP composites

In the present study, it has been attempted to develop biodegradable Mg-HAP (magnesium-hydroxyapatite) composite materials for bone replacement. At first the HAP powders were prepared by chemical synthesis process and synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Synthesized powders contain HAP as a major phase with tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) as a minor phase. The Mg-HAP composites were prepared by adding different amounts of HAP powders to Mg melts and finally the billets were extruded. The microstructure of Mg-HAP composite was examined by optical microscope (OM). The presence of HAP in Mg matrix results in decrease of grain size of Mg-HAP composites. The theoretical and experimental hardness of the composites are compared with the addition of HAP. The tensile strength of composites is found to decrease with the addition of HAP, whereas compressive strength increases with HAP.