Bioglass-ceramics with SiO2-Na2O-CaO composition was prepared by sol-gel method using rice husk ash as a silica source. Material was sintered at different temperatures ranging from 900 to 1050 degrees C for 2 h. Phase-formation behaviour, densification characteristics, and mechanical strength of glass-ceramics were investigated. The material sintered at 1000 degrees C showed a good mechanical strength. Mechanical properties were correlated with microstructural features. Both in vitro bioactivity and biodegradability of sintered material were investigated by incubating in simulated body fluid and Tris buffer solution, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the surface deposition during body fluid incubation. Both bioactivity and degradability decreased with increase in sintering temperature. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.