Hardening of Calcium Hydroxide Compact by Carbonization

Abstract

Calcite monolith has been prepared by exposing calcium hydroxide compact to carbon dioxide in the presence of saturated water vapor. The mechanical strength of calcium hydroxide compacted disk increased with prolonged exposure time to carbon dioxide along with its gradual transformation to calcite. The transformation reaction was completed within approximately 72 hours at 25°C. The mechanical strength of the calcite monolith was also dependent on the pressure applied for the preparation of calcium hydroxide compact. For example, diametral tensile strength of calcite monolith was 1.84±0.25 MPa, 3.34±0.39 MPa and 4.64±0.69 MPa when they were prepared from the calcium hydroxide disk compacted with a pressure of 1 MPa, 3 MPa and 5 MPa, respectively. We concluded that this method is useful for the preparation of calcite monolith since pure calcium monolith with enough mechanical strength for bone filler can be obtained without having any complicated procedure.