Properties of Calcium Phosfate Cement with Addition of Dispersant and Hydrogel
The calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) have attracted great interest for use in orthopedics and dentistry as replacements for damaged parts of the skeletal system,showing good biocompatibility and osseointegration. These characteristics allow its use as a bone graft.Several studies in literature have shown that the addition of polymeric additives has a strong influence on the mechanical properties of cement. The low mechanical strength is the main impediment to a broader use of calcium phosphate bone cement (CPCs) as implant material. The aim of this work was evaluate the strength of a CPC based on α-tricalcium phosphate, with polymeric additions. CPC was synthesized and sodium alginate were added (1%, 2% and 3% by weight) and ammonium polyacrylate (3%; dispersant) in aqueous solution. Specimens were molded and evaluated for density, pH, porosity, in vitro test (Simulated Body Fluid),crystalline phases and mechanical strength. The results show the increase of the mechanical properties of cement when added with sodium alginate and dispersant.