Four fluorcanasite glass-ceramics were fabricated by controlled heat-treatment of as-cast Glasses A–D. These compositions
have been reported previously but essentially, Glass A had the stoichiometric composition (Ca
5Na
4K
2Si
12O
30F
4) and Glasses B–D were modified by reducing the Na
2O concentration (B), adding excess CaO (C) and P
2O
5 (D). The latter two compositions have been shown to have promising bioactive response in cell culture and simulated body
fluid experiments. Devitrification of the stoichiometric composition resulted in poor mechanical properties with crumbling
often observed on machining. As a result, no mechanical data could be obtained. In all modified compositions, heat-treatment
between 780 °C and 900 °C resulted in measurable indentation fracture toughness (IFT) and biaxial flexural strength (BFS).
IFT was optimised in Glass C at 800 °C (2.53 ± 0.02 MPa m
½), but the biaxial flexural strength (BFS) was low, 167 ± 17 MPa, compared to other compositions. For heat- treated Glass
D optimum mechanical properties were obtained at 800 °C with BFS and IFT, 249 ± 23 MPa and 1.95 ± 0.01 MPa m
½, respectively. The relationship between the mechanical properties and microstructure is discussed.