Castability and biocompatibility of novel fluorcanasite glass-ceramics

Novel fluorcanasite based glass-ceramics were produced by controlled two stage heat-treatment of as-cast glasses. Castability of parent glasses was determined using a graduated spiral cast piece. Fluorcanasite glasses were also cast to form complex shapes using the lost wax casting technique. Gypsum and phosphate bonded investments were used to investigate their effect on the casting process, cast surface crystallinity and biocompatibility. The stoichiometric composition had the greatest castability but the other two modified compositions also had good castability. X-ray diffraction showed similar bulk crystallisation for each glass irrespective of the investment material. However, some differences in surface crystallisation in the presence of different investment materials were detected. Discs cast using gypsum bonded investment showed greater in vitro biocompatibility than equivalent discs cast using phosphate bonded investment under the conditions used. Gypsum and phosphate bonded investments could both be successfully used for the lost wax casting of these novel fluorcanasite glasses.