Abstract
A novel self-curing paste, which is composed of calcium phosphates powder and acetyl cellulose dissolved in ethyl lactate, has been developed as a bone-repairing material that does not need any mixing operation before its use and sets in the body. This paper focused on investigations of the mechanical properties and bioactivity of the paste after exposure to physiological solutions. Compressive strength of the set paste increased with increment of the polymer concentration and of calcium phosphates powder/polymer solution (P/L) ratio, and strain at the yield point increased with increasing the polymer concentration and with decreasing P/L. The mechanical properties of the set paste including calcium phosphates and acetyl cellulose were analogous to those of human cancellous bone. The paste was able to form bone-like hydroxyapatite on its surface in a simulated body fluid (SBF). This indicates that the paste has a potential to show bone-bonding ability, i.e. bioactivity. From these results, this paste can achieve both the mechanical properties corresponding to human cancellous bone and show bioactivity as well as easy handling.
