Synthesis of Si-containing tricalcium phosphate and its sintering behavior

Si-containing tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramics are expected to be useful biodegradable bone substitutes that enhance bone regeneration because TCP is a biodegradable ceramic and Si is the trace element that enhances bone formation. We successfully synthesized the Si-containing TCP with different Si contents through a wet process. The Si addition lowered the temperature of phase transition from β-TCP to α-TCP. After the sintering the compacts of Si-containing TCP powders at 1400 °C, the sintered ceramics showed higher density than those of Si-free TCP. The Si addition was effective to promote the sintering of TCP.