Models for physical properties and bioactivity of phosphate opal glasses

Abstract

Bioactive glasses are glasses to which bone can attach through a tight chemical bond after implantation. Glasses are, however, brittle and therefore they are preferably used in combination with other ceramic materials or metals. In this work potentially bioactive phosphate opal glasses have been studied. Phenomenological equations describing the influence of glass composition on transition temperature, thermal expansion, chemical durability and bone bonding are developed. The equations may be used for development of various implant materials based on bioactive glass, for example enamels for metal protheses. The corrosion behaviour in body fluid is also discussed and compared with the bone bonding. The role of alumina is briefly considered.