The Role of Texturing and Densification on Optical Transmittance of Hydroxyapatite Ceramics

A high level of optical transparency (over 65%) has been obtained in hydroxyapatite ceramics. This optical transparency arises due to a combination of the texture, measured as the extent of an in‐plane orientation of the crystallographic c‐axis, and the physical density. The highest value of transparency is observed in pellets sintered at 900°C, below which the transmittance declines due to a decline in the density and texture. Above 900°C, the transmittance declines again due to a loss in the c‐axis orientation.