Preparation and characteristics of a calcium magnesium silicate (bredigite) bioactive ceramic

In this study, new bredigite (Ca7MgSi4O16) ceramics were prepared by sintering sol-gel-derived bredigite powder compacts at 1350degreesC for 8h. The bending strength, fracture toughness and Young's modulus were about 156 MPa, 1.57 MPa m(1/2) and 43 GPa, respectively. The in vitro bioactivity of the bredigite ceramics was evaluated by investigating the apatite-formation ability in simulated body fluid (SBF) and the effect of ionic products from bredigite dissolution on the mouse fibroblasts cell line L929. In addition, the in vitro biocompatibility of the bredigite ceramics was evaluated by osteoblasts adhesion and proliferation assay. The results showed that bredigite ceramics could induce HAp formation in SBF. The products from bredigite dissolution significantly promoted cell growth at a certain concentration range. Furthermore, osteoblasts adhered and spread well on bredigite ceramics, and osteoblasts proliferation on bredigite ceramics was obvious. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.