VACUUM SINTERING FABRICATION AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF 316L STAINLESS STEEL FIBRE/HA COMPOSITE BIOMATERIALS

Different components of 316L stainless steel(316L SS)fibre/HA biomaterials and 316L SS fibre/HA-ZrO₂ (CaO )biomaterials were fabricated with vacuum sintering. Metallographical microscope, SEM and EDXA analysis were carried out to investigate the microstructure, fracture property and microfield element contents of the composites. The results show that 316L SS fibres and nano-sized ZrO₂ (CaO )have reinforcing and toughening effects on the composites. Comprehensive consideration suggests that 316L SS fibre/HA-ZrO₂ (CaO) biomaterials with 20% 316L SS fibre have optimal mechanical properties with bending strength and compressive strength of 140.1MPa and 348.9MPa. Bending strength increases with decreasing diameter or length of the 316L SS fibres. Microstructure of the composites changes regularly with the ratio between HA and 316L SS fibre. No obvious flaws or pores appear in the composites and 316L SS fibre is enwrapped in the HA (ZrO₂ )matrix with tight integration. Brittle fracture appears in 5% 316L SS fibre/HA-ZrO₂ (CaO )biomaterials and tough fracture appears in 10%, 20%, 40% 316L SS fibre/HA-ZrO₂ (CaO )biomaterials. And the toughness increases with the rise of 316L SS fibre contents in 316L SS fibre/HA-ZrO₂ (CaO) biomaterials with 10%, 20%, 40% 316L SS fibres. Some Fe element diffusion of the toughened phase takes place in the HA (ZrO₂ )matrix and no Ca, P element diffusion in 316L SS fibre. Both matrix and toughened phase are relatively independent and no chemical reaction is observed in the composites.