Preparation and characterization of ZCAP blends.

Six different blends of zinc oxide, calcium oxide, phosphorous pentoxide (ZCAP) were prepared by mixing zinc oxide (ZnO), calcium oxide (CaO), and phosphorous pentoxide (P2O5) powders. The blends were 50:30:20, 48:32:20, 44:26:30, 40:40:20, 30:40:30, and 30:30:40, ZnO:CaO:P2O5 by weight, respectively. The mixed powders were calcined at 800 degrees C for 12 hours. Each blend was then characterized using X-ray diffraction. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that in some cases the reaction between oxides may not have gone to completion. Compositions of beta-3CaO.P2O5 and alpha-CaZn2(PO4)2 were found in many of the blends.