BIOMATERIALS

Biomedical Engineering
Sem-III

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

Module 6: Properties and

Applications of Ceramics
Biomaterials

Semester: III

Introduction
Classification
Alumina
Zirconia and types
Bioglass
Calcium Phosphate
Tricalcium phosphate

Biomaterials

Module 6

OVERVIEW

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6
Biomaterials

INTRODUCTION
The word "ceramics" is derived from an
ancient Greek word "keramos", which refers
to potter's clay and the objects made from it.
Ceramics are refractory, polycrystalline
compounds, usually including
silicates,
metallic oxides,
Carbides
and various refractory hydrides, sulfides, and
selenides.
Oxides such as Al2O3, MgO, SiO2, etc. contain
metallic and nonmetallic elements.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

Ceramics have been used since long time as an

excellent dental material.
To make dental crowns

Biomaterials

Module 6

INTRODUCTION

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Carbons have been used extensively for blood

interfacing devices like heart valves

Biomaterials

Module 6

Semester: III

INTRODUCTION

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

Ceramics have an excellent specific strength as

fibers and biocompatibility.
Used as reinforcing materials for composite
material
Artifical Tendon
Ligament Replacement

Biomaterials

Module 6

INTRODUCTION

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

The types of ceramic materials used in

biomedical applications may be divided into three
classes according to their chemical reactivity
with the environment.
nearly inert
surface reactive
completely resorbable

Biomaterials

Module 6

CLASSIFICATION

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

CLASSIFICATION

Module 6

Biomaterials

Nearly Inert
Alumina and Carbons shows little chemical
reactivity even after thousands of hours of
exposure
Exposure to pH
Minimal interfacial bonds with living
tissues
Fibrous capsule adjacent to alumina is only
few cells thick.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6
Biomaterials

CLASSIFICATION

Surface Reactive

Ceramics
behavior.

surface provides binding sites for the

proteinaceous constituents of soft tissues
and cell membranes, producing tissue
adherence

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

exhibit

an

intermediate

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

Completely Resorbable

Ceramic material broken down and

assimilated back into the body.
Eliminates the need of the second
operation for their removal.

Biomaterials

Module 6

CLASSIFICATION

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

10

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Biomaterials

Module 6

APPLICATION BASED CLASSIFICATION

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

11

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Biomaterials

Module 6

COMPOSITION BASED CLASSIFICATION

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

12

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Biomaterials

Module 6

COMPOSITION BASED CLASSIFICATION

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

13

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Biomaterials

Module 6

COMPOSITION BASED CLASSIFICATION

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

14

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6
Biomaterials

PROPERTIES OF CERAMICS

Crystalline and noncrystalline states

High melting temperatures (varying from 3500 to

7000 degF)

All ceramics are brittle at room temperatures

Very low resistance to tensile loads.

Very low fracture strengths.

Microcracks are formed very easily under tensile

stresses.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

15

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

PROPERTIES OF CERAMICS
High hardness and good wear resistance.
High toughness
Low thermal and electrical conductivity.
High creep resistance at elevated temperatures
Capacity to remain unreactive and inert when
exposed to severe environments
Can be magnetized and demagnetized, some
can be permanently magnetized

Biomaterials

Module 6

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

16

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

CERAMICS

Module 6

Major medical ceramic materials are zirconia alumina, and

aluminum oxide.
These materials possess resistant and biocompatible features,
which are ideal for developing medical devices to be implanted
into the human body.
Numerous research and development initiatives in this market
Biomaterials

have led to the introduction of electronic medical devices.

Applications of medical ceramic include artificial joints,

stimulators, implant sensors and drug delivery devices.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

17

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

WHAT EXPERTS SAY

Our aim was to find a way to combine high wear

Module 6

resistance, excellent mechanical properties and long

term stability into a single bioceramic that would
improve comfort and quality of life for patients.
Ceramic has had a long and successful history of use in

Biomaterials

implantable medical devices," explains Yannick Galais,

Commercial Manager, at Morgan Technical Ceramics

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

18

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

EXPERTS SAY

Ceramics

Biomaterials

Module 6

Metals
WHAT

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

19

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6
Biomaterials
Prof. Arunkumar Ram

20

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6
Biomaterials

WHY CERAMICS IN HUMAN BODY

Possesses excellent Bio-compatibilty.

Resistance to wear.

Ideally suited for applications like

Implantable Electronic Sensors

Stimulators

Drug delivery devices

Alumina and Zirconia have successfully proven

their ability to withstand harsh environment of
human body.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

21

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CERAMICS

Ceramics are very hard

Infact measurement of hardness is

calibrated in terms of ceramics

Diamond is hardest with the hardness

Biomaterials

index on Mohs scale of 10

Talc is softest, Mohs scale 1

Alumina-9

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

Quartz-8

Apatite-5
22

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6
Biomaterials

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CERAMICS

High Melting Point

Low conductivity of Electricity and Heat

Difficult to shear, due to strong ionic

bonding.

Non ductile at room temperature.

Sensitive to notches and microcracks,

ceramics get fracture as cracks propagates.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

23

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Biomaterials

Module 6

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CERAMICS

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

24

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

ALUMINUM OXIDES

Main source of Alumina is bauxite and

Module 6

native corundum.

Alumina can be prepared by calcining

alumina trihydrate resulting in calcined

Biomaterials

alumina

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

25

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6

ALUMINUM OXIDES
Chemical

Composition (wt%)
2 3

99.6

0.12

2 3

0.03

2 3

0.04

Biomaterials

ASTM Specifies 99.5% pure alumina and less than 0.1% of combined
2 and alkali oxides (mostly 2 3 ) for implant use.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

26

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

ALUMINUM OXIDES

Natural Alumina is also known as sapphire

give rise to color)
Property

Value

Flexural Strength

>400MPa

Elastic modulus

380GPa

Density

3.8-3.9 (/3 )

Biomaterials

Module 6

or ruby (depending on impurities), which

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

27

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

ALUMINUM OXIDES

Strength of polycrystalline alumina

Module 6

depends on porosity and grain size.

Smaller the grain size and porosity, higher

the strength will be.

Alumina has high hardness (Mohs scale-9)

Biomaterials

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

28

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

ALUMINUM OXIDES

Applications

Module 6

Total Hip Replacement

Used for orthopedic and dental implants

Ability to be polished to a high surface finish and high

hardness.

It has been utilised in wear bearing environments such as

Biomaterials

the femoral head

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

29

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

Applications

Coatings of Femoral Stems

Knee Prosthesis

Tooth Implants

Biomaterials

Module 6

ALUMINUM OXIDES

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

30

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

CALCIUM PHOSPHATES

Calcium phosphate has been used in the

Module 6

form of artificial bones.

70% of bone consists of hydroxyapatite( a

calcium phosphate mineral).

Tooth enamel is compose of almost 90% of

Biomaterials

hydroxyapatite

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

31

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

STRUCTURE OF CALCIUM PHOSPHATES

Calcium phosphates can by crystallised into

Module 6

salts, hydroxyapatite depending on the

Ca/P Ratio, presence on water, impurities
and temperature.

In a wet environment and low temperature

Biomaterials

(<900 degC) most likely apatite will form.

Used for bone substitute in granular or

solid block form.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

32

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

STRUCTURE OF CALCIUM PHOSPHATES

The mineral part of bone and teeth is made

Module 6

up of crystalline form of calcium phosphate

similar to hydroxyapatite [ ( )]

The ideal Ca/P ratio of hydroxyapatite is

10:6 and the calculated density is 3.219.

Biomaterials

Substitution of OH with F will give greater

chemical stability.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

33

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6

PROPERTIES OF HYDROXYAPATITE
Property

Value

Elastic Modulus (Gpa)

40-117

Compressive Strength (Mpa)

294

Bending Strength (Mpa)

147

Hardness (Gpa)

3.43

Density (Theoreticial. g/cc)

3.16

Biomaterials

Excellent Biocompatibility , forms a direct chemical bond with the

hard tissues.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

34

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

MANUFACTURING OF HYDROXYAPATITE

Different

methods

developed

to

make

aqueous solution of Calcium Nitrate and

Monosodium Phosphate.

Biomaterials

Module 6

precipitates of hydroxyapatite from an

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

35

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

MANUFACTURING OF HYDROXYAPATITE

Precipitates filtered and dried to form a

Module 6

fine particle powder.

After calcination for about 3 hours at 900

degC to promote crystallization.

Powder is pressed into a final form and

Biomaterials

sintered at about 1050 to 1200 degC for 3

hours.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

36

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

GLASS CERAMICS

Polycrystalline

ceramics

made

by

Module 6

controlled crystallization.

Small amount of element like copper, silver

and gold and precipitated and crystallize

the glass into a fine grained ceramic.

Biomaterials

This

possesses

excellent

thermal

and

mechanical properties.

Eg. Bioglass and Ceravital

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

37

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

FORMATION OF GLASS CERAMICS

Formed by nucleation and growth of small

Module 6

crystals (<1m).

10^12 to 10^15 nuclei per cc are required to

achieve such small crystals.

In addition Cu, Ag, Au, Pt TiO2, ZrO2, P2O5

Biomaterials

are added for this purpose..

Nucleation takes place at temp less than

Melting Point

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

38

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

GLASS CERAMICS

`The glass ceramics developed for implantation

Module 6

are SiO2-CaO-Na2O-P2O5 and

LiO2-ZnO-SiO2.

If I vary the composition except P2O5, we get

best composition that will show good bonding

Biomaterials

with bone.

The bonding is due to formation of calcium

phosphate and SiO2 rich film layer on the
surface.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

39

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

GLASS CERAMICS

The composition of ceravital is similar to

Module 6

Bioglass

in

SiO2

content

but

differs

somewhat in other components.

The

mixture

are

melted

in

platinum

crucible at 1500C for 3 hours and then

Biomaterials

cooled.

Nucleation

and

crystallization

temperatures were 680C and 750C resp. for

24 hours.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

40

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

GLASS CERAMICS

When size of crystal was about 4AU , the

structure.

Biomaterials

Module 6

process was stopped to obtain fine grain

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

41

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6

PROPERTIES OF GLASS CERAMICS

Thermal coefficient of expansion is very

low to per degree C.

Tensile strength varies from 100MPa to

200MPa.

The Main drawback of glass ceramic is its

Biomaterials

brittle as compared to glasses and cermaics.

Cannot be used for major load bearing

activities.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

42

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

Fillers for bone cement.

Dental restoration composites.

Coating Materials for implants.

Biomaterials

Module 6

APPLICATIONS OF GLASS CERAMICS

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

43

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

CARBON

Carbons can be made in many allotropic forms:

Module 6

crystalline diamond, graphite, non crystalline

glassy

carbon,

and

partially

crystalline

pyrolytic carbon.

Amongst these pyrolytic carbon is extensively

Biomaterials

used.

Normally used in surface coatings

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

44

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

CARBON

It is also possible to coat the surface with DLC-

Module 6

diamond like carbon.

This technique has the potential to improve

performance of such medical devices as surgical

knives, scissors, and articulating surfaces of

Biomaterials

joint implants.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

45

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

STRUCTURE OF CARBON-QUASICRYSTAL

Carbons are Inert ceramics, exhibits varied

Module 6

and unique properties.

Biomaterials

Carbons, currently of interest for use in

medical devices have the quasi-crystalline
turbostratic structure.
Degree
of
perfection,
morphological
arrangement
of
the
crystallites
are
important in determining the properties of
carbons

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

46

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

Crystal structure of carbon is similar to graphite.

Planar hexagonal arrays are formed by strong

covalent bonds in which one valence electron per
atom is free to move.

Biomaterials

Module 6

STRUCTURE OF CARBON-QUASICRYSTAL

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

47

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6

STRUCTURE OF CARBON-QUASICRYSTAL

Free electron results I good electrical conductivity.

This type of bonding is very strong and results in

high strength of the material.

There

are

no

preferred

orientations

of

the

crystallites, the properties are the same in all

directions.(isotropic)
Biomaterials

The strong C-C bonds within the planes of the

randomly oriented crystallites give isotropic carbon
very high strength.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

48

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6

STRUCTURE OF CARBON-VITREOUS

Vitreous carbon-Glassy black appearance

Polycrystalline solid with small grain size.

Formed by controlled pyrolysis of polymer such as

Biomaterials

Phenol Formaldehyde resin

Rayon

Polyacrylonitrile

The structure is isotropic and the density is 1.5

Wear resistance and strength is not good as

49

compared to pyrolytic LTI Carbons

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Ultra low temperature isotropic carbon-ULTI.

Carbon atoms are evaporated from heated carbon

Module 6

Semester: III

STRUCTURE OF CARBON-ULTI

source and condensed into a cool substrate of

ceramic, metal or polymer.

The thickness of coating is less than 1m.

An advantage of this process is that the coating does

Biomaterials

not

change

substrate

the

while

mechanical

biocompatibility

conferred on the surface.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

properties
of

of

carbon

the
is
50

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

STRUCTURE OF CARBON-ULTI

ULTI is deposited on a number of polymeric

and

grafts

without

changing

their

flexibility.

Biomaterials

Module 6

implants

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

51

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

STRUCTURE OF CARBON-ULTI

The poorly crystalline carbons are thought to contain

The hexagonal layers are not perfectly arranged.

Biomaterials

Module 6

unassociated or unoriented carbon atoms.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

52

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6

PROPERTIES OF CARBON

Carbon has good biocompatibility with bone and

other tissues.

It also has high strength and an elastic modulus

close to that of bone.

Biomaterials

Unlike metals, polymers and some other ceramics

carbonaceous materials do not suffer from fatigue..

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

53

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6

PROPERTIES OF CARBON

The mechanical properties of carbon, especially

pyrolytic carbon, are largely dependent on density.

The increased mechanical properties are directly

related to the increased density, which indicates the

Biomaterials

properties

depend

mainly

on

the

aggregate

structure of the material

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

54

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Biomaterials

Module 6

PROPERTIES OF CARBON

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

55

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Biomaterials

Module 6

PROPERTIES OF CARBON

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

56

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6
Biomaterials

PROPERTIES OF CARBON
Graphite and glassy carbon have much
lower mechanical strength than pyrolytic
carbon
However, the average modulus of elasticity
is almost the same for all carbons.
The strength of pyrolytic carbon is quite
high compared to graphite and glassy
carbon.
This is again due to the lesser amount of
flaws and unassociated carbons in the
aggregate.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

57

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Biomaterials

Module 6

PROPERTIES OF CARBON

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

58

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

A composite carbon that is reinforced with

carbon fiber has been considered for implants.
The density is in the range of 1.41.45 g/cm3,
with a porosity of 3538%.

Biomaterials

Module 6

PROPERTIES OF CARBON

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

59

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6

PROPERTIES OF CARBON
Carbons

exhibit excellent compatibility

with tissues.
In

particular, compatibility with blood

has made pyrolytic carbon deposited

Biomaterials

heart valves and blood vessel walls a

widely accepted.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

60

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

MANUFACTURE OF CARBON IMPLANTS

Pyrolytic carbons are formed by deposition of the

isotropic structure on a substrate while in a fluidized bed,

Module 6

at controlled temperature between 1000 to 2400C .

Pyrolysis

of

hydrocarbon

gas

(e.g.

methane)

at

temperature of less than 1500C has been most useful for

applications in implants.

They

are

called

as

low-temperature

isotropic

(LTI)

carbons.
Biomaterials

These thin films of LTI carbon have good bonding strength

to a number of metals with value ranging from (10 MPa to
35 MPa) with the ultimate value being dependent upon
conditions of deposition.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

61

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Biomaterials

Module 6

MANUFACTURE OF CARBON IMPLANTS

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

62

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Module 6

Semester: III

MANUFACTURE OF CARBON IMPLANTS

Biomaterials

The

density,

crystallite size,

and structure

of the deposited carbon can be controlled by

temperature, composition of the fluidizing gas, bed
geometry, and residence time (velocity) of the gas
molecules in the bed.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

63

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6
Biomaterials

MANUFACTURE OF CARBON IMPLANTS

The microstructure of deposited carbon
should be particularly controlled since the
formation of growth features associated
with uneven crystallization can result in a
weaker material.
It is also possible to introduce various other
elements into the fluidizing gas and codeposit them with carbon.
Usually silicon (1020 w/o) is codeposited
(or alloyed) to increase hardness for
applications
requiring
resistance
to
abrasion, such as heart valve discs.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

64

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

APPLICATIONS OF CARBON

Isotropic pyrolytic carbon was introduced

Module 6

clinically in 1969 and since then it has

found wide use as a vascular implant
material.

Carbon has good biocompatibility with

Biomaterials

bone and other tissues.

Carbon coatings find wide applications in

heart valves, blood vessel grafts

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

65

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

APPLICATIONS OF CARBON

Percutaneous carbon devices containing

Module 6

high-density

electrical

connectors

have

been used for the chronic stimulation of the

cochlea

for

artificial

hearing

and

stimulation of the visual cortex to aid the

Biomaterials

blind.

ULTI coated valves are most widely used.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

66

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

APPLICATIONS OF CARBON

The GBH (graphite-benzalkonium-heparin)

materials, particularly polymers, in order to
increase their thromboresistance.

Biomaterials

Module 6

surface has been applied to many other

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

67

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6
Biomaterials

APPLICATIONS OF CARBON
Carbon does not provoke an inflammatory
response in adjacent tissues and no foreign
body reactions to the material have been
observed.
Bone and soft tissues are much more
tolerant to carbon than other materials.
In most cases a thin sheath like capsule is
formed around the carbon coated implant,
which isolates it from the surrounding
tissues.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

68

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III
Module 6
Biomaterials

ZIRCONIUM OXIDES (ZIRCONIA)

Zirconium oxides or zirconia (ZrO2) have
been tried for application in fabricating
implants.
Zirconia is called fake diamond or cubic
zirconia since it has a high refractive
index (as does diamond) .
Some mechanical properties are as good or
better than alumina ceramics.
Zirconia is highly biocompatible, as are
other ceramics, and can be made in the
form of large implants such as the femoral
head and acetabular cup in total hip joint
replacement.

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

69

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.

Semester: III

ZIRCONIUM OXIDES (ZIRCONIA)

These materials are strengthened by phase

Module 6

trans formation and control of grain sizes.

A major drawback is that they may be

weakened significantly under stress in the

presence

of

moisture;

this

weakening

Biomaterials

occurs at a much faster rate at elevated

temperature such as occurs during steam

sterilization (autoclaving).

Prof. Arunkumar Ram

70

Dept. of Biomedical Engg.