Preparation and compressive strength of α-tricalcium phosphate based cement dispersed with ceramic particles

Abstract The preparation and strength of an α-tricalcium phosphate (α-Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 ) cement with and without dispersed particles of polycrystalline 3 mol% Y 2 O 3 doped tetragonal zirconia (3Y–TZP), polycrystalline alumina (Al 2 O 3 ), and amorphous silica (SiO 2 ) were investigated. α-Tricalcium phosphate transformed completely to calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (Ca 10− x (HPO 4 ) x (PO 4 ) 6− x (OH) 2− x ) after curing in simulated body fluid at 37 °C for 120 h. The compressive strength of a cement without dispersed particles cured at 37 °C for 168 h was 42 MPa but increased to 48, 64, and 67 MPa by dispersing 7.5 wt.% of Al 2 O 3 , 3Y–TZP, and SiO 2 particles, respectively. The improvement of compressive strength seemed to depend on the affinity of the cement matrix and dispersed particles.