Taguchi Grey Relational Optimization of the Multi-mechanical Characteristics of Kaolin Reinforced Hydroxyapatite: Effect of Fabrication Parameters

Abstract

Comparative study of kaolin reinforced hydroxyapatite (KHAp) and pure HAp using different production parameters has been done through traditional experimentation. However, the quantitative effect, optimization of kaolin reinforcement and fabrication parameters have not been investigated. Hence, this study examines the effect of kaolin reinforcement, compaction pressure and sintering temperature on the experimental mechanical properties of HAp. Taguchi design assisted by grey relational analysis was employed with L36 (2**2 3**1) orthogonal array. The Minitab 16 software was used to analyze the Taguchi design. The result showed a disparity in kaolin reinforcement as the optimum condition for individual mechanical properties, but the grey relational analysis showed better mechanical properties with kaolin reinforcement, 500 Pa compaction pressure and 1100 oC sintering temperature. The obtained result further revealed kaolin reinforcement as a strong and promising reinforcing material for high strength clinical application, having a contribution of 93.16% on compressive strength of HAp.  Therefore, future studies can be conducted in the use of different wt% of kaolin on the multi-response mechanical characteristics of HAp.