Co-grinding significance for calcium carbonate-calcium phosphate mixed cement. Part II: effect on cement properties

• Published in: Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials Vol. 99B; no. 2; pp. 302 - 312
• Main Authors: Tadier, Solene, Le Bolay, Nadine, Girod Fullana, Sophie, Cazalbou, Sophie, Charvillat, Cédric, Labarrère, Michel, Boitel, Daniel, Rey, Christian, Combes, Christèle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 01.11.2011
• Subjects: Chemical Sciences; Engineering Sciences; Material chemistry; Materials; Mechanics; Christian and Combes; Calcium carbonate; Injectability; carbonate-calcium phosphate mixed cement II Effect on cement; Calcium phosphate; Bone cement; Co-grinding; Radio-opacity; properties; Christèle Co-grinding significance for calcium
• ISSN: 1552-4973; 1552-4981
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.31899

In the present study, we aim to evaluate the contribution of the co-grinding process in controlling calcium carbonate-dicalcium phosphate dihydrate cement properties. We set a method designed to evaluate phase separation, usually occurring during paste extrusion, which is quantitative, reliable, and discriminating and points out the determining role of cogrinding to limit filter-pressing. We show that solid phase co-grinding leads to synergistic positive effects on cement injectability, mechanical properties, and radio-opacity. It allows maintaining a low (<0.4 kg) and constant load during the extrusion of paste, and the paste’s composition remains constant and close to that of the initial paste. Analogous behavior was observed when adding a third component into the solid phase, especially SrCO3 as a contrasting agent. Moreover, the cement’s mechanical properties can be enhanced by lowering the L/S ratio because of the lower plastic limit. Finally, unloaded or Sr-loaded cements show uniform and increased optical density because of the enhanced homogeneity of dry component distribution. Interestingly, this study reveals that cogrinding improves and controls essential cement properties and involves processing parameters that could be easily scaled up. This constitutes a decisive advantage for the development of calcium carbonate-calcium phosphate mixed cements and, more generally, of injectable multicomponent bone cements that meet a surgeon’s requirements.