Microwave Sintering of Al2O3 Fiber-Reinforced Hydroxyapatite Matrix Composites

Abstract

Al2O3 Fiber-reinforced HAp was sintered using microwave and conventional heating. Microwave heating cycles were ~50 times faster than conventional sintering cycles and enabled the use of reduced densification temperatures and soak times by as much as ~100°C and 55 min, respectively. However, although there was a significant improvement in densification levels attainable before decomposition, the improvements were insufficient to produce near-fully or fully dense samples.