Abstract
Hydroxyapatite powders were syntehsized by the reaction of Ca(NO3)2.4H2O and (NH4)2HPO4 in aqueous solution. The effect of the Ca/P mole ratio in the starting solution on the sintering of the powders and its microstructure was studied. When the Ca/P mole ratio in the starting solution was 1.69, the relative density of the sintered bodies was more than 95%. The sinterability was decreased as the Ca/P mole ratio in the starting solution was increased (Ca/P mole ratio >1.67). Hydroxyapatite sintered bodies obtained from the Ca/P mole ratio=1.69 had very excellent bending strength. The best bending strength was obtained at 110$0^{\circ}C$ and its value was 1220kg/$\textrm{cm}^2$. The average grain size was 0.277${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. Most of sintered bodies were almost shown 100% hydroxyapatite phase. However, in case of the Ca/P mole ratio=1.64 hydroxyapatite was decomposed to $\alpha$-whitlockite above 120$0^{\circ}C$.