A self-setting single-component calcium phosphate cement

Following an original synthesis route, we have prepared a single-component calcium phosphate apatite-like powder which settles and hardens when mixed with deionized water in an approximative 1.2 g:1 ml ratio. This paper describes the first physico-chemical studies and characterizations of the material. Observations of its in vitro behavior show a slight volume contraction and toxicity against fibroblasts bone marrow cells on disks of compacted powder. It is suggested that after an improvement of the powder characters such as grain size, and the choice of another hardening liquid, to name a few, this material should be a potential--or an ingredient of--bone cement.