Fabrication of porous apatite-wollastonite glass ceramics using a two steps sintering process

The aim of this work was to produce porous apatite-wollastonite (AW) glass-ceramic scaffolds via a two step sintering process and to assess their suitability for bone replacement applications. Apatite-wollastonite, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were used to fabricate bonelike porous scaffolds using the burning out method. Compression tests were carried out on AW scaffolds after sintering. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the pores distribution and microstructure of the sintered scaffolds. The scaffolds containing 70% AW and 30% PMMA have the highest compressive strength and apparent density. All scaffolds present a microstructure with interconnected micro and macroporosity (less than 50 mu m).