Glasses with compositions 41CaO(52 - x)SiO(2)4P(2)O(5)center dot xFe(2)O(3)3Na(2)O (2 <= x <= 10 mol.%) were prepared by melt quenching method. Bioactivity of the different glass compositions was studied in vitro by treating them with simulated body fluid (SBF). The glasses treated for various time periods in SBF were evaluated by examining apatite formation on their surface using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared reflection spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques. Increase in bioactivity with increasing iron oxide content was observed. The results have been used to understand the evolution of the apatite surface layer as a function of immersion time in SBF and glass composition. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.