Surface modifications of a glass and a glass-ceramic of the MgO-3CaO.P2O5-SiO2 system in a simulated body fluid.

A glass of nominal composition (wt%) 17.25 MgO-52.75 3CaO.P2O5-30 SiO2 and a glass-ceramic obtained from it showed surface modifications when immersed in an acellular medium having a composition similar to that of human blood plasma. A (Ca, P)-rich layer, with an approximate Ca/P atomic ratio of 1.7, identified as hydroxyapatite, developed on both samples. The precipitated film on the glassy sample was weakly bonded, whereas that formed on the glass-ceramic was strongly adherent. The apatite precipitated during the in vitro tests on both samples grew as a needle-like structure with crystals about 150-200 nm long and 50-70 nm thick, as measured on specimens soaked for 1 month in the simulated body fluid (SBF). The presence of calcium and phosphate ions in the SBF contributed to the precipitation of the (Ca, P)-rich layers on both specimens.