Transformations in CDHA/OCP/beta-TCP scaffold during ageing in simulated body fluid at 36.5 degrees C

The transformations that took place in a scaffold composed of CDHA/OCP/beta-TCP by ageing in SBF at 36.5 degrees during 14 days were studied. A carbonated-apatite layer was formed during immersion in SBF on the surface of the scaffold and part of the OCP present in the inner core of the material was also transformed into apatite. The precipitated apatite layer exhibited the typical globular morphology characteristic of bioactive materials. The content of CDHA increased from 14 to 29 wt % at the expense of the content of OCP that decreased from 39 to 29 wt %. beta-TCP content dropped slightly from 47 to 42 wt %. Total porosity (from 56.1% +/- 0.6% to 62.4% +/- 0.5%) and real density (from 2.58 +/- 0.01 to 2.79 +/- 0.01 g/cm(3)) increased, and diametral tensile (from 2.1 +/- 0.3 to 0.9 +/- 0.1 MPa) and compressive strengths (from 8.5 +/- 1.0 to 6.8 +/- 0.6 MPa) decreased during ageing. The in vitro results showed that the scaffold composed of CDHA, OCP, and beta-TCP is bioactive and partially resorbable. It seems to be suitable for in situ bone regeneration procedures.