Sintering behaviour of forsterite bioceramics

With the assistance of heat treatment, forsterite (Mg
₂
SiO
₄
) powder was successfully synthesized using talc and magnesium oxide as the basic starting materials. Sintering behavior and mechanical properties were evaluated upon sintering the synthesized forsterite compacts from 1200
^o
C to 1500 °C. Forsterite phase without any secondary phase were observed at all sintering temperatures analyzed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Results also showed that relative density of 90.7% was obtained at sintering temperature of 1500 °C. Optimal fracture toughness (4.88 MPa.m
^1/2
) and Vickers micro-hardness (7.11 GPa) were achieved when sintered at 1400 °C.