Self-setting properties of a beta-dicalcium silicate reinforced calcium phosphate cement.

Beta-dicalcium silicate was used to reinforce the injectable calcium phosphate cement (iCPC) for the first time in this study. The influence of the content of beta-dicalcium silicate on the mechanical properties, setting time, rheological properties, injectability, phase evolution, microstructure, and biodegradability of iCPC was systematically investigated. The results demonstrated that the addition of 8 wt % beta-dicalcium silicate obviously enhanced the compressive strength of the CPC from 26.5 to 47.5 MPa, and did not significantly influence the biodegradability, setting time, injectability, phase evolution, and microstructure of the CPC. The beta-dicalcium silicate-reinforced iCPC with relatively high mechanical property should have potential prospects for the wider applications in surgery such as orthopedics, oral, and maxillofacial surgery. Copyright 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.