Abstract

This paper reports experimental and modelling results on the manufacture and properties of hydroxyapatite / BaTiO3 ceramic composites and studies their electromechanical properties with ferroelectric ceramic volume fractions, mFC ? 0.7. In these composites the bio-active properties of hydroxyapatite are combined with the electromechanical properties of a perovskite-type ferroelectric BaTiO3 ceramic in an attempt to create a novel polarised bone-substitute material. Experimental results of the volume fraction dependences of the effective piezoelectric coefficients d * 31(mFC), d* 33(mFC) and dielectric permittivity ? *? 33(mFC) of stress free samples are analysed within the framework of a modified model of a porous piezo-active material that is described in terms of 1-3 (one-dimensional rods in a continuous matrix) and 2-2 connectivity (laminates). The role of several structural elements and physical factors in forming the electromechanical properties of the composites is discussed. It is shown that performance of these materials typical properties are 5 pC / N < |d* 31|< 45 pC / N, 20 pC / N < d* 33< 100 pC / N and 400 < ?*? 33| ?0< 1300. © 2008 Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.