• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.43 no.8 s.291
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• pp.504-508
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• 2006

Functionally gradient porous $Al_2O_3-(t-ZrO_2)/HAp$ composites consist of 3 layers were fabricated using the multi-pass extrusion process at the various temperatures. The continuous pores were homogeneously formed in the $2^{nd}$ passed samples and their size was about $180{\mu}m$ in diameter. In the porous composites sintered at $1200-1400^{\circ}C$, the relative density and bending strength increased with the sintering temperature. The maximum values of relative density and bending strength in the $2^{nd}$ passed $Al_2O_3-(t-ZrO_2)/HAp$ composites were 62.2% and 107.8 MPa, respectively. In order to investigate the growth behavior of osteogenic cells on the functionally gradient porous $Al_2O_3-(t-ZrO_2)/HAp$ composites, an in vitro test was performed, using human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells. The cells were well attached and grown on the rough surface of the inside of the functionally gradient porous body.