EFFECTS OF ADDITION OF α-TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE POWDERS ON MATERIAL PROPERTIES OF THE CHELATE-SETTING HYDROXYAPATITE CEMENT

We have previously developed a chelate-setting calcium-phosphate cement (CPC) consisting of hydroxyapatite (HAp) powders surface-modified with inositol hexaphosphate (IP6). In the present study, mechanically ball-milled α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) powders were added into the IP6-HAp cement in order to enhance its anti-washout capability and mechanical properties. After optimization of the ball-milling conditions, the cement specimens mixed with various amounts of the prepared α-TCP powders were fabricated. Examinations of their mechanical properties revealed significant increase of compressive strength (CS) with the addition of the α-TCP powders. Further, it was demonstrated that the specimens of the IP6-HAp powders / the α-TCP powders mixing ratios of 20/80 and 30/70 [g/g] exhibited comparatively high anti-washout capability. In conclusion, these cements are promising chelate-setting CPCs with enhanced anti-washout capability and mechanical properties.