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This study aims to obtain substitute material for metal-based bone implants. Apart from several biocompatibility challenges, the metal implant procedure requires two operations during the recovery stage, which bring discomfort to the patients. The material under study is the shells of freshwater snails (Sulcospira). The shell is rich in calcium, which can be processed into hydroxyapatite (HA). Hydroxyapatite is the potential to replace metal implants since it has similar properties to human bone. The research was conducted by grinding the shells using ball milling at a speed of 200 rpm for 15 minutes with four repetitions. Between millings, heating was conducted up to the temperature of 900°C for four hours. The powder coarseness was observed using a vibrating sieve. The characterization was carried out using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). The results show that the calcium content reached 65% after milling four times with an average powder size of 67 µm. The result obtained in this research is better than previous studies, with a 55% calcium level and an average size of 67 µm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-ceramic powder from chicken egg shells has been made using a planetary ball mill with varied numbers and types of grinding balls and gradual heating. Chicken egg shells powder is used as a precursor for manufacturing Hydroxyapatite (HA) bio-ceramic material. HA is used as a scaffold, bone filler, and metal implant coating. The manufacture of HA powder with a fine size is very well used for making bone grafts. HA, which consists of calcium and phosphate, is the main component of bone. HA sourced from organic materials such as bovine bones, pig bones, fish bones, goat bones, clam shells, egg shells, snail shells, crab shells, and so on. The research was conducted using a ball mill with variations in the number and ball milling. The balls used are agate and stainless steel. Milling will be carried out in two stages in each variation, namely grinding without gradual heating and grinding followed by gradual heating to a temperature of 900°C. Milling was carried out at 200 rpm for 2 hours. Furthermore, the chicken egg shells powder was characterized using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results showed that milling using 45 balls effectively reduced powder size. The powder size decreased in the first stage by 175 µm in the second stage to 32 µm. The Stainless Steel grinding ball type is more effective in reducing powder size than the Agate ball type. The difference in powder size between the two types of balls in the first stage was 133 µm and in the second stage was 80 µm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]