Porous calcium polyphosphate scaffolds for bone substitute applications — in vitro characterization

Porous structures were formed by gravity sintering calcium polyphosphate (CPP) particles of either 106–150 or 150–250 μm size to form samples with 30–45 vol% porosity with pore sizes in the range of 100 μm (40–140 μm). Tensile strength of the samples assessed by diametral compression testing indicated relatively high values for porous ceramics with a maximum strength of 24.1 MPa for samples made using the finer particles (106–150 μm). X-ray diffraction studies of the sintered samples indicated the formation of β-CPP from the starting amorphous powders. In vitro aging in 0.1 m tris-buffered solution (pH 7.4) or 0.05 m potassium hydrogen phthalate buffered solution (pH 4.0) at 37°C for periods up to 30 d indicated an initial rapid loss of strength and P elution by 1 d followed by a more gradual continuing strength and P loss resulting in strengths at 30 d equal to about one-third the initial value. The observed structures, strengths and in vitro degradation characteristics of the porous CPP samples suggested their potential usefulness as bone substitute materials pending subsequent in vivo behaviour assessment.