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

The preparation and strength of an α-tricalcium phosphate (α-Ca3(PO4)2) cement with and without dispersed particles of polycrystalline 3 mol% Y2O3 doped tetragonal zirconia (3Y–TZP), polycrystalline alumina (Al2O3), and amorphous silica (SiO2) were investigated. α-Tricalcium phosphate transformed completely to calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (Ca10−x(HPO4)x(PO4)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 Al2O3, 3Y–TZP, and SiO2 particles, respectively. The improvement of compressive strength seemed to depend on the affinity of the cement matrix and dispersed particles.