Effect of calcium phosphate glass on compressive strength of macroporous hydroxyapatite scaffold

This study presents the manufacture of macroporous hydroxyapatite scaffolds with a small amount of calcium phosphate glass powder as sintering additives. Hydroxyapatite slurry was prepared by suspending the hydroxyapatite and glass powder in water. Polyurethane sponge was used to produce highly macroporous scaffolds. The rheological characteristic of the slurry was measured to identify the effect of adding calcium phosphate glass powder into hydroxyapatite slurry. Sintered scaffolds could be repeatedly coated to improve mechanical properties. Scaffolds prepared by single and double replication cycle process were characterized by density, porosity and compressive strength measurements by increasing amount of the calcium phosphate glass powder to the hydroxyapatite slurry, viscosity by increased more than same amount of pure hydroxyapatite, and the capillary force was similar to pure hydroxyapatite slurry. The compressive strength of the macroporous hydroxyxapatite scaffold containing the calcium phosphate glass powder showed higher value than that of pure hydroxyapatite at single replication cycle. SEM demonstrated that the microstructure of the scaffold became denser with the introduction of the calcium phosphate glass powder. The pore struts were thicker as replication cycle was increased.