Improving Toughness of Alumina-Based Composites to Be Used As Bone Substitute

Abstract

In this study it is show the experimental results of alumina reinforced with titanium additions, forming a composite which by its components could be classified as a biomaterial. The experimental results indicate that Al2O3-X wt. % Ti, (X = 0.5, 1, 2 and 3) composite material is an alternative material for its use as human bone substitute, because its density, porosity and toughness are better than of the human bone. Composites were manufactured using powders techniques. The results indicate that these composites have densities between 3.6 - 3.9 g/cm3, values far higher than the density of the compact bone of 1.8 g/cm3. The microstructure observed by scanning electron microscopy, shows a homogeneous distribution of titanium particles in the alumina matrix. Fracture toughness of the proposed composite present’s values range between 3.3 to 8.76 MPam-0.5, whereas fracture toughness of compact bone has a value of 4.05-4.32 MPam-0.5.