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Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Injectable Ceramic Microspheres

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of starting powder granulometry and sintering conditions on the morphological structure and mechanical properties of injectable hydroxyapaptite (HAp) microspheres. The mechanical properties of the microspheres were evaluated, to investigate if their integrity could be maintained during the injection process. To obtain microspheres, HAp powders were dispersed in a sodium alginate solution and spherical particles were prepared by droplet extrusion under a co-axial air stream, coupled with ionotropic gelation in the presence of Ca2+. This was followed by a sintering process at various temperatures and times. The morphology of microspheres was observed under SEM, diameter measurements were performed in an optical microscope and the compression strength was evaluated using a texture analyzer. Finally, microspheres prepared using lower granulometry HAp powders and sintered at 1200 °C for 1 hour presented the best properties and were selected as the most suitable for the envisaged application.