Properties

General information

Overview

 Calcium phosphate bio-ceramics are used for scaffolds for bone metabolism and cartilage regeneration. Bone metabolism involves the resorption of existing bone by osteoclasts and the subsequent formation of a new bone matrix by osteoblasts. These are essential for bone remodeling, regeneration and repair. Tissue engineering requires a scaffold capable of supporting the functional properties of osteogenic cells.

Composition overview

Compositional summary

Trilcalcium phosphate Ca3(PO4)2, tetracalcium phosphate Ca4P2O9 and hydroxyapatite Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 are three calcium phosphates used as implant scaffold materials. The data below are for dense (<3% porosity) hydroxyapatite.

Material family

Ceramic (technical)

Base material

Other

 

Composition detail (metals, ceramics and glasses)

CaO (calcia)

55

-

59              %

Other oxide

41

-

43              %

Other

0

-

2                 %

 

Price

Price

*

132

-

331

CNY/kg

Price per unit volume

*

4.04e5

-

1.04e6

CNY/m^3

 

Physical properties

Density

3.05e3

-

3.15e3

kg/m^3

 

Mechanical properties

Young's modulus

55

-

88

GPa

Specific stiffness

17.7

-

28.4

MN.m/kg

Yield strength (elastic limit)

*

28

-

48

MPa

Tensile strength

38

-

48

MPa

Specific strength

*

9.03

-

15.5

kN.m/kg

Elongation

*

0.04

-

0.09

% strain

Compressive modulus

*

55

-

88

GPa

Compressive strength

*

350

-

450

MPa

Flexural modulus

 

100

-

120

GPa

Flexural strength (modulus of rupture)

*

38

-

48

MPa

Shear modulus

*

21

-

33

GPa

Bulk modulus

*

55

-

88

GPa

Poisson's ratio

*

0.3

-

0.33

 

Shape factor

15

Hardness - Vickers

 

420

-

450

HV

Elastic stored energy (springs)

*

5.77

-

16.2

kJ/m^3

Fatigue strength at 10^7 cycles

*

15.2

-

19.2

MPa

 

Impact & fracture properties

Fracture toughness

1

-

1.3

MPa.m^0.5

Toughness (G)

0.0135

-

0.0259

kJ/m^2

 

Thermal properties

Thermal conductivity

 

1.2

-

3

W/m.°C

Specific heat capacity

 

870

-

890

J/kg.°C

Thermal expansion coefficient

 

11.4

-

14

μstrain/°C

Thermal shock resistance

*

29.3

-

59.3

°C

Thermal distortion resistance

*

0.0944

-

0.239

MW/m

 

Magnetic properties

Magnetic type

Non-magnetic

 

Optical, aesthetic and acoustic properties

Transparency

Opaque

Acoustic velocity

 

4.18e3

-

5.37e3

m/s

Mechanical loss coefficient (tan delta)

*

0.00175

-

0.0024

 

 

Critical materials risk

Contains >5wt% critical elements?

No

 

Durability

Water (fresh)

Excellent

Water (salt)

Excellent

Weak acids

Excellent

Strong acids

Acceptable

Weak alkalis

Acceptable

Strong alkalis

Unacceptable

Organic solvents

Excellent

Oxidation at 500C

Excellent

UV radiation (sunlight)

Excellent

Flammability

Non-flammable

 

Primary production energy, CO2 and water

Embodied energy, primary production

* 102              -      113            MJ/kg

CO2 footprint, primary production

* 5.51             -      6.09           kg/kg

Water usage

* 107              -      119            l/kg

 

Processing energy, CO2 footprint & water

Grinding energy (per unit wt removed)

*

24.8

-

27.4

MJ/kg

Grinding CO2 (per unit wt removed)

*

1.86

-

2.06

kg/kg

 

Recycling and end of life

Recycle

 No

Recycle fraction in current supply

0.1                                          %

Downcycle

 Yes

Combust for energy recovery

 No

Landfill

 Yes

Biodegrade

 No