Two-step microwave sintering-A promising technique for the processing of nanostructured bioceramics

Abstract

Two-step microwave sintering was applied in this study to process dense nano-structured bioceramics coupled with improved mechanical properties. The decrease in the average grain size to the nanolevel resulting from decreasing the sintering temperature to 850 degrees C during two-step microwave sintering, led to an increase in the fracture toughness compared to conventionally two-step sintered bioceramic. The two-step microwave sintering could be a promising technique for the processing of nanostructured HAP bioceramics.