Preparation and compressive strength of alpha-tricalcium phosphate/gelatin gel composite cement.

A novel alpha-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and gelatin gel composite cement was prepared, and the effects of gelatin content, liquid/powder ratio, setting time, and additives (rod-like hydroxyapatite and CaTiO3 particles) on the microstructure and compressive strength of the setting product were investigated. Addition of gelatin gel to alpha-TCP cement resulted in the formation of a porous solid possessing pores of 20-100 microm in diameter whose pore diameter increased with increasing gelatin gel content. The compressive strength of alpha-TCP cement after 1 week increased from 9.0 to 14.1 MPa with increasing gelatin gel content up to 5 wt % and thereafter decreased. The compressive strength of the cement containing 5 wt % gelatin gel increased with time up to 35 MPa after 1 month whereas without gelatin gel it was approximately 20 MPa. Dispersion of 5 wt % of rod-like hydroxyapatite and CaTiO3 powders with alpha-TCP cement containing 5 wt % gelatin gel increased the compressive strength after 1 week from 14.1 to 31.3 and 34.8 MPa, respectively.