Fluorapatite-glass-ceramics obtained by heat treatment of a gel synthesized by the sol-gel processing method

A new fluorapatite-glass-ceramic was processed from sol-gel by controlling the heat treatment. The obtained results seemed to confirm the nucleation and growth of fluorapatite nano-phase in the glass. In addition, some mechanical properties of the new fluorapatite-glass-ceramic such as rupture strength and elastic modulus and shear modulus were measured and their obtained values were sigma(r) = 27 +/- 2 MPa, E = 20 +/- 0.3 GPa and G = 7.7 +/- 0.1 GPa, respectively. This glass-ceramic can have promising applications in dental prostheses because it would release fluoride ions, which can be an effective protector against dental caries. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.