Finite element analysis and experimental validation of barium titanate - zirconia composite under physiological dynamic loading

Composite ceramics hybrid material is designed for biomedical load-bearing applications. It aims on utilisation of piezoelectric effect, which is beneficial for example to the bone formation, critical in orthopaedic and dental... [ view full abstract ]

Composite ceramics hybrid material is designed for biomedical load-bearing applications. It aims on utilisation of piezoelectric effect, which is beneficial for example to the bone formation, critical in orthopaedic and dental fields. Additionally such piezoelectric materials have potential in biomedical applications as sensors, energy harvesters or for applying deformation or charge.

The development of this smart ceramic (MEMS) with piezoelectric functionality has extended relevance for improving understanding about the immune interface at implanted biomaterials which is vital for conquests in tissue engineering. These possible “Bone-on-Chip” applications could be utilised in studying the responses of biota to the different applied stimuli related to osteointegration. Both materials used in this work - barium titanate and zirconia - are biocompatible. Zirconia is already used in implants and studies on barium titanate present evidence for non-toxicity and report potentiality positive immune host response. 

This work consists of a theoretical analysis carried out to simulate the behaviour of the material and experiments with alike specimens. Here dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of properties’ is carried out under conditions that resemble loads and strain rates in a dental implant environment. Samples made of yttria stabilised zirconia, non-poled composite and poled composite are studied. The cantilever shaped samples subjected to 3-point-bending are processed by pressing and sintering under atmospheric conditions. Material properties obtained are utilised in s simple FEM design of a zirconia cantilever with embedded barium titanate supergrid to support composite designing.