Porous hydroxyapatite manufactured by foaming of aqueous ceramic suspensions and setting via gelcasting of organic monomers was tested for in vivo biocompatibility in rabbit tibia for a period of 8 weeks. The foams provide tortous frameworks and large interconnected pores that support cell attachment and organisation into 3D arrays to form new tissue. The HA foam implants were progressively filled with mature new bone tissue and osteoid after the implanted period, confirming the high osteoconductive potential and high biocompatibility of HA and the suitability of foam network in providing good osteointegration. No immune or inflammatory reactions were detected.

Silicon carbide has been extensively used in structural applications, especially at high temperatures. In this work, Y2O3, Al2O3 and SiO2 were added to beta-SiC in order to obtain highly dense ceramics. Sintering was conducted in a dilatometer and in a graphite resistance furnace and the densification behaviour was studied. Sintered samples were characterised by density measurements, the crystalline phases were identified by X-ray diffraction. Microstructural observation of polished and polished/etched samples was carried out with help of scanning electron microscopy. Silicon carbide ceramics with more than 90% of the theoretical density were obtained by pressureless sintering if a suitable proportion of the additives is used.

Microstructure development and phase formation processes during sintering of silicon carbide based materials with AlN-Y2O3, AlN-Yb2O3, and AlN-La2O3 sintering additives were investigated. Densification of the materials occurred by liquid-phase sintering mechanism. Proportion of alpha- and beta-SiC powders in the initial mixtures was a variable parameter, while the molar ratio of AlN/RE2O3, and the total amount of additives (10 vol. %) were kept constant. Shrinkage behavior during sintering in interrelation with the starting composition of the material and the sintering atmosphere was investigated by high temperature dilatometry. Kinetics of b-SiC to a-SiC phase transformation during post-sintering heat treatment at temperatures 1900-1950 °C was studied, the degree of phase transformation being determined by quantitative x-ray analysis using internal standard technique. Evolution of microstructure resulting from beta-SiC to alpha-SiC transformation was followed up by scanning electron microscopy on polished and chemically etched samples. Transformation-controlled grain growth mechanism similar to the one observed for silicon nitride based ceramics was established. Possibility of in-situ platelet reinforced dense SiC-based ceramics fabrication with improved mechanical properties by means of sintering was shown.

Chemical interaction in the TiCSi3N4 system was investigated. Thermodynamic calculations and kinetic analysis were carried out for a number of powder mixtures with various TiC:Si3N4 molar ratios in the temperature range 1300-1750 °C. Stability regions of the TiC-Si3N4 composites were defined. It was shown that the main reaction products are silicon carbide and titanium carbonitride. The overall chemical interaction is described in terms of chemical reaction between titanium carbide and silicon nitride, and the diffusion of carbon and nitrogen through the coherent reaction products layer after completion of the initial direct interaction of the components.

Basic regularities of silicon nitride based materials microstructure formation and development in interrelation with processing conditions, type of sintering additives, and starting powders properties are discussed. Models of abnormal or exaggerated grain growth are critically reassessed. Results of several model experiments conducted in order to determine the most important factors directing the microstructure formation processes in RE-fluxed Si3N4 ceramics are reviewed. Existing data on the mechanisms governing the microstructure development of Si3N4-based ceramics are analyzed and several principles of microstructure tailoring are formulated.