The improved mechanical properties of β-CaSiO3 bioceramics with Si3N4 addition

The motivation of this study is to investigate the effect of Si3N4 addition on the sinterability of β-CaSiO3 ceramics. β-CaSiO3 ceramics with different content of Si3N4 were prepared at the sintering temperature ranging from 1000°C to 1150°C. The results showed that Si3N4 can be successfully used as sintering additive by being oxidized to form SiO2. The β-CaSiO3 ceramics with 3wt% Si3N4 sintered at 1100°C revealed flexural strength, hardness and fracture toughness of 157.2MPa, 4.4GPa and 2.3MPam1/2 respectively, which was much higher than that of pure β-CaSiO3 ceramics (41.1MPa, 1.0GPa, 1.1MPam1/2). XRD analysis and SEM observation indicated that the main phase maintained to be β-phase after sintering. ▪ •β-CaSiO3 ceramics with Si3N4 addition were prepared by pressureless-sintering.•Si3N4 had great effect on the mechanical properties of the β-CaSiO3 ceramics.•β-CaSiO3 ceramics with 3wt% Si3N4 revealed a flexural strength of 157.2MPa.•Si3N4 can be used as sintering additive by being oxidized to form SiO2.