A Comparative Study between α-TCP and Si-α-TCP Calcium Phosphate Cement

On this study the influence of silicon dopping on the properties of the final calcium phosphate cement were analysed and compared to the ones of the conventional Si and Mg-free αTCP cement. In spite of silicon doping, Si-α-TCP calcination temperature (1400°C) was higher than the one used for conventional α-TCP (1300°C) as a result of Mg contamination on the commercial precursor used on the Si-α-TCP synthesis. Because of the high temperature used, Si-α-TCP sample was difficult to mill. Even after 1 week milling, the particle size achieved was 12μm while Si-free α-TCP reached 7.7μm. Consequently, the reactivity of both powders was different. In conclusion, the properties of Si-α-TCP cement were not satisfactory for clinical application. In order to do it so, it is essential to enhance the powder reactivity by reducing Mg contamination, lowering the sintering temperature and reducing the particle size to, then, achieve the desired reactivity and compressive strength.