Electrical properties of ALCAP and ZCAP ceramics.

The electrical properties of implantable ceramics have been studied. The properties of resistivity, dielectric constant, magnetic permeability, and piezoelectric constant were measured using test methods developed to give reproducible results on common electrical instruments. The electrical properties of Aluminum Calcium Phosphorus Oxide (ALCAP) and Zinc Calcium Phosphorus Oxide (ZCAP) ceramics were measured with an ohmeter, impedance bridge, and oscilloscope in conjunction with special test fixtures. Both the ALCAP and ZCAP materials were characterized as insulating dielectrics with mean resistivities of 6.0E04 ohm.m and with mean dielectric constants of 5.3 for both ceramics. Neither the ALCAP nor the ZCAP exhibited magnetic or piezoelectric properties. The results indicate that these ceramics could be used as an insulative housing for a variety of medical devices.