In this study, composites of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) and sol gel derived bioactive glass (10, 25, and 40 wt %) based on the SiO(2)-CaO-MgO-P(2)O(5) system were prepared and sintered at 1000-1200 degrees C. The mechanical properties were investigated by measuring bending strength, Vickers hardness and fracture toughness. Structural properties were evaluated by XRD and SEM analysis, and the biological properties were studied by soaking the samples in simulated body fluid (SBF) and in contact with osteoblastic cell for viability assay. When the samples were sintered at 1200 degrees C, the mechanical strength increased, up to 34%, by increasing the amount of bioactive glass phase. In contrast, it decreased when the samples were sintered at 1000 and 1100 degrees C. The results showed that the strength could be improved up to 56% when more firing period was used. Incorporation of the bioactive glass phase into beta-TCP increased the microhardness but did not significantly change the fracture toughness. Phase analysis revealed that beta-TCP or magnesium-substituted beta-TCP was the main crystalline phase of the composites beside some calcium silicate crystallized in the bioactive glass phase. Plenty precipitation of calcium phosphate layer onto the surfaces of the beta-TCP/bioactive glass composites soaked in SBF indicated superior bioactivity of these materials compared to pure beta-TCP without any precipitation. The ability of beta-TCP/bioactive glass composites to support the growth of human osteoblastic cells was considerably better than that of pure beta-TCP. These results may be used to indicate which compositions and processing conditions can provide appropriate materials for hard tissue regeneration.
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