Abstract

• β-tricalcium phosphate powders were synthesized by the wet chemical precipitation method starting from calcium nitrate tetrahydrate, Ca(NO3)2.4H2O, and diammonium hydrogen phosphate, (NH4)2HPO4. The pH of the mixed solution was controlled at pH-10 by adding sodium hydroxide solution. The β-TCP pellets were sintered at 800°C, 900°C, 1000°C, and 1100°C for 6 h each. The structural and mechanical properties of β-TCP pellets were characterized by using XRD, SEM, Hardness tester, and Archimedes’ method respectively. The dense microstructure without pores could be obtained at the sintering temperature of 1100°C. The hardness and compressive strength increased with increasing temperature. The maximum compressive strength of β-TCP pellets was obtained at 1100°C. The behavior of bioceramic was investigated such that porosity decreased when the bulk density and temperature increased accordingly. In this research, the sintering temperature at 1100°C provided maximum density and hardness which may be applied as a bone replacement.