Keywords
Categories
Abstract
Hydroxyapatite (HAp)-based composites reinforced with carbon fibers have attracted considerable attention for load-bearing biomedical applications because they combine the excellent bioactivity of calcium phosphate ceramics with the superior mechanical properties of high-performance fibers. In this study, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP)-coated carbon fibers were incorporated into a hydroxyapatite matrix to enhance interfacial bonding and improve the overall mechanical performance of the composite. Surface modification of the fibers was characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the fabricated composites were evaluated in terms of density, bending strength, and Young’s modulus.
The results demonstrated that β-TCP surface modification significantly improved the structural and mechanical characteristics of the composites. Compared with the composite reinforced with untreated carbon fibers, the coated-fiber composite exhibited an increase in density from 2.3 to 2.9 g cm⁻³ and a remarkable improvement in bending strength from 36 to 82 MPa, while maintaining a slightly lower Young’s modulus that may provide better mechanical compatibility with bone tissue. SEM observations revealed a denser and more homogeneous microstructure with fewer visible defects, whereas XPS analysis confirmed the introduction of oxygen-containing functional groups that enhanced the surface reactivity of the fibers and promoted stronger interactions with the hydroxyapatite matrix. The β-TCP coating acted as an effective interfacial transition layer, facilitating stress transfer and improving composite integrity.
These findings demonstrate that β-TCP-coated carbon fibers provide an efficient reinforcement strategy for hydroxyapatite-based composites and highlight the importance of interface engineering in developing mechanically reliable biomaterials for orthopedic implants and bone reconstruction applications.
References
[1] Abbas Alsalami, Z. H., & Abbas, F. H. (2024). Ultra-High-Performance Concrete with Micro-to Nanoscale Reinforcement. ACI Materials Journal, 121.
[2] Al Mamari, S. S., Julai, S., Sabri, M. F. M., Wilson Annamal, L. A., & Shahabaz, S. M. (2025). Effect of nano ferrochrome slag-infused polymer matrix on mechanical properties of bidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composite. Polymers, 17(18), 2527.
[3] Ali, B., Kurda, R., Ahmed, H., & Alyousef, R. (2023). Effect of recycled tyre steel fiber on flexural toughness, residual strength, and chloride permeability of high-performance concrete (HPC). Journal of Sustainable Cement-Based Materials, 12(2), 141-157.
[4] Çelebi Efe, G., & Yenilmez, E. (2022). Study on surface properties of UHMWPE/Hap composite coating on Ti6Al4V. Surface Engineering, 38(4), 417-429.
[5] Chun, B., Kim, S., & Yoo, D. Y. (2022). Reinforcing effect of surface-modified steel fibers in ultra-high-performance concrete under tension. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 16, e01125.
[6] Demirci, F., & Bahce, E. (2023). The effects of HAp coating layer on mechanical and optical properties at bonding interface of high-performance polymers. Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials, 137, 105539.
[7] Demirel, M. (2025). Structural and mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite, carbon fiber, and B4C in polypropylene and polymethylmethacrylate. Colloid and Polymer Science, 1-20.
[8] Deng, Y. G., & Li, Y. (2024). Evaluating the chemical stability and performance of zinc phosphate-coated steel fibers in concrete corrosion simulations. Materials Today Communications, 41, 110363.
[9] Furko, M., Balázsi, K., & Balázsi, C. (2023). Calcium phosphate loaded biopolymer composites—a comprehensive review on the most recent progress and promising trends. Coatings, 13(2), 360.
[10] Kim, G. W., Oh, T., Lee, S. K., Lee, S. W., Banthia, N., Yu, E., & Yoo, D. Y. (2023). Hybrid reinforcement of steel–polyethylene fibers in cementless ultra-high performance alkali-activated concrete with various silica sand dosages. Construction and Building Materials, 394, 132213.
[11] Liu, Z., Wang, Y., Yu, J., Chen, Y., & Zhu, M. (2024). The past, present and future of high-performance fibers. National Science Review, 11(10), nwae310.
[12] Munaf Aljewari, I. F., Koc, E., & Akgul, Y. (2024). Mechanical, Tribological, and Biological Properties of Short Carbon Fiber/Nano Hydroxyapatite Reinforced Hybrid Epoxy Composites. Bilecik Seyh Edebali University Journal of Science/Bilecik Şeyh Edebali Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 11(1).
[13] Raja, T., Devarajan, Y., & Vickram, S. (2025). Evaluation of Grewia optiva fiber as a sustainable and high-performance reinforcement material for composite applications. Results in Engineering, 25, 104096.
[14] Rogala-Wielgus, D., & Zieliński, A. (2024). Preparation and properties of composite coatings, based on carbon nanotubes, for medical applications. Carbon Letters, 34(2), 565-601.
[15] Yoo, D. Y., Jang, Y. S., Oh, T., & Banthia, N. (2022). Use of engineered steel fibers as reinforcements in ultra-high-performance concrete considering corrosion effect. Cement and Concrete Composites, 133, 104692.
[16] Zhao, X., Shi, G., Ma, L., Guan, J., & Zhu, Z. (2024). Mechanical property analysis and optimization of nano-hydroxyapatite coated carbon fiber reinforced hydroxyapatite composites. Ceramics International, 50(21), 42569-42581.
[17] Zhao, X., Wang, P., Zheng, J., Liu, J., Yang, Z., & Yang, L. (2022). Preparation of multilayered C–Si–Al2O3 coatings on continuous carbon fibers and C–Si–Al2O3-coated carbon-fiber-reinforced hydroxyapatite composites. Ceramics International, 48(18), 26028-26041.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Wafaa Hegazy (Author)