Microhardness and phase composition of TiOy/hydroxyapatite nanocomposites synthesized under low-temperature annealing conditions

We have prepared a dispersion-hardened composite material based on hydroxyapatite (HAP) and nonstoichiometric titanium monoxide (TiO (y) ). To this end, substoichiometric titanium monoxide (y < 1; 10 or 20 wt %) was added to HAP precipitated from solution. After heat treatment, pure HAP and HAP containing 10 and 20 wt % TiO0.92 differed in the behavior of their microhardness. The addition of TiO0.92 lowers the hardening onset temperature of the composite material by several hundred degrees Celsius. Annealing at 600A degrees C leads to the formation of the Ti4.5O5 and Ti6O11 phases in the composite containing 20 wt % TiO0.92.