Processing Effect on the Compressive Strength and Bioactivity of Ti-Based Composites Produced with TiH2 and Calcium Phosphate

Titanium-based composites with bioactive phases were produced with TiH2and 10% in volume of calcium phosphate. The mixtures were prepared either by conventional powder metallurgy processing or by ultrasound, dried in a rotary evaporator, pressed at 600 MPa and vacuum-sintered at 1200 °C for 2 hours. Crystal phases of the as-fabricated composites are found to be α-Ti, CaTiO3and TixPyphase (s). The TixPyand CaTiO3phases resulted from the reaction between titanium and tricalcium phosphate at about 1130 °C. Calcium phosphate was better dispersed by ultrasound leading to a higher compressive strength of the composite and a more uniform Ca-P deposition in simulated body fluid solution.