Mechanical Reliability and Modeling of Hydroxyapatite Scaffold

Abstract Significant contributions on the improvement of the mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite (HAp) have been widely reported. However, failure analysis (mechanical reliability) and modeling are missing. This article filled the gap by conducting Two-parameter Weibull distribution assisted by modeling to investigate the mechanical reliability of HAp. The employed HAp was characterized under SEM/EDS analysis. The results revealed the characteristics of HAp and also the nature of the synthesis route employed through its irregular morphology. The Two-parameter Weibull distribution analysis was conducted on the hardness and compressive strength of HAp scaffold. The characteristic hardness and compressive strength, coupled with their corresponding bounds, failure rates, and correlation coefficients were been presented. The Weibull analysis with the assistance of modeling revealed HAp fabricated under 10 KN compaction load and sintered at 1100 oC as the most reliable sample under hardness condition, while HAp fabricated under 15 KN compaction load and sintered at 1000 oC gave the most reliable characteristic under compression. However, 15 KN compaction load and 1100 oC sintering temperature showed the best reliability on the overall mechanical (hardness and compressive strength) reliability. Future study is recommended on the reliability of HAp scaffolds considering other mechanical properties that are essential for biomedical application.