This study investigates the effects of varying ZrO₂ content on the mechanical properties of BG-85S bioactive glass, aiming to enhance its potential as a scaffold material in tissue engineering applications. Compressive strength and porosity were analyzed, revealing a significant enhancement in compressive strength and a reduction in porosity with increasing ZrO₂ content. Specifically, compressive strength increased from approximately 210 MPa at 0 wt% ZrO₂ to about 300 MPa at 6 wt% ZrO₂, while porosity decreased from around 50 vol% to 30 vol% over the same range. These improvements are attributed to the reinforcing effect of ZrO₂, which enhances structural integrity and resistance to deformation, and promotes a denser material structure through liquid phase sintering and vitrification. Additionally, increases in hardness and Young's modulus with higher ZrO₂ content were observed, further supporting the potential of ZrO₂-doped bioactive glasses for biomedical applications requiring enhanced mechanical performance. The observed improvements in mechanical properties, including increased compressive strength, reduced porosity, and enhanced hardness and Young's modulus, highlight the suitability of ZrO₂-doped bioactive glass for load-bearing applications in tissue engineering. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing ZrO₂ content to maximize mechanical performance while maintaining bioactivity and biocompatibility. Future research should focus on further optimizing ZrO₂ content for specific applications, assessing the long-term stability and bioactivity of these materials in physiological conditions, and exploring the potential of ZrO₂-doped bioactive glasses in various biomedical applications.

Keywords: Artificial bone scaffold, Bioabsorbable ceramics, Tissue engineering.