Porous Functional Graded Bioceramics with Integrated Interface Textures

Porous functional graded ceramics (porous FGCs) offer immense potential to overcome the low mechanical strengths of homogeneously porous bioceramics used as bone grafts. The tailored manipulation pore structure including interfaces in these materials is particular interest locally control microstructural and properties, well biological response implant. In this work, FGCs with integrated interface textures were fabricated by a novel two-step transfer micro-molding technique using alumina hydroxyapatite feedstocks varied amounts spherical formers (0–40 Vol%) generate well-defined porosities. Defect-free could be realized for various porosity pairings, leading continuous discontinuous transition porosity. microstructure three different periodic patterns (planar, 2D-linear waves 3D-Gaussian hills) was investigated SEM µCT showed shape accurate replication CAD-designed model ceramic sample. Young’s modulus flexural strength bi-layered bending bars 0 30 Vol% determined compared homogeneous hydroxyapaite containing 0–40 formers. A significant reduction observed FGCs, attributed damping effects at interface. Flexural 4-point-testing revealed that failure did not occur interface, but rather layer, proving does represent source weakness microstructure.