Hydroxyapatite/diopside ceramic composites and their behaviour in simulated body fluid

In this work, diopside was introduced in hydroxyapatite matrix as a sintering aid and hydroxyapatite/diopside ceramic composites were fabricated by uniaxial hot-pressing. The biological activity of hydroxyapatite/diopside ceramic composites in simulated body fluid was assessed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thin-film X-ray diffraction (TF-XRD) and electron-probe micro analysis (EPMA). SEM micrographs showed an obvious bright mineral layer to form on the soaked composite surface, and the layer may be hydroxyapatite or NaCl crystals.