Synthesis and Mechanical Characterization of Boro Calcium Fluoroaluminosilicate Bioactive Glass–Ceramics Derived from Waste Materials

Bioactive glasses and glass–ceramics containing boron have captured substantial interest within the biomedical domain due to their distinctive attributes and promising potential. By utilizing waste materials like soda-lime-silica glass and clam shell as sources of SiO2 and CaO, respectively, boro calcium fluoro alumino silicate (BCFAS) glass–ceramics were produced through the melt-quenching method by control sintering. This study focuses on the physical, structural, and mechanical properties of the BCFAS glass–ceramics with 10% B2O3 addition. Analysis via X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared highlighted the formation of fluorapatite and mullite phases during sintering, which have been recognized for their ability to improve both mechanical strength and bioactivity. The incorporation of 10% B₂O₃ produced the optimum outcomes at 900 °C, achieving a density of 2.652 g/cm³, a compressive strength of 187.50 MPa, and a microhardness of 7.53 GPa, thus exceeding the typical range of 3.00–5.00 GPa for human enamel. These encouraging findings suggest that these glass–ceramics, based on recycled materials, hold substantial promise for future dental applications, offering cost-effectiveness alongside superior properties.