Calcium phosphate cements: study of the beta-tricalcium phosphate--dicalcium phosphate--calcite cements.

The setting and strengthening properties of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP)--dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD)--calcite blends upon admixture with water were investigated at 25 and 37 degrees C. Setting was accelerated by seeding the system with hydroxyapatite (HAp), and strengthening improved when the solids were mixed with a solution saturated with DCPD and HAp. The relationship strength versus ageing time in wet conditions was correlated with mineralogical changes of the material. X-Ray diffraction, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy observations showed that DCPD and calcite react together to form small HAp crystals acting as bridges between the beta-TCP aggregates present in the paste. Both gaseous CO2 released by the reaction of calcite and the conversion of lower (DCPD, calcite) to higher-density phases (HAp) contributed to increase the porosity of the material. Nevertheless, quite acceptable diametral strengths (around 1.5 MPa) could be achieved, despite the high porosity of the hardened product (up to 54 vol%). After exhaustion of DCPD, calcite can react with beta-TCP to form further HAp, but this process is detrimental to the strength of the material. Both the mineralogical transformations, and the strengthening of the material were accelerated considerably upon increasing the ageing temperature.