Immersion behavior of gelatin-containing calcium phosphate cement

Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) have many favorable properties that support their clinical use as bone defect repair. However, it is difficult to deliver to the required site and hard to compact adequately due to inherently low ductility of ceramics. The aim of this study focused on the effect of the gelatin content on properties of CPCs. The diametral tensile strength, morphology, and weight loss of gelatin cements were evaluated after immersion in physiological solution, in addition to setting time. The results indicated that the setting time significantly increased with increasing gelatin amount. The 2 wt.% gelatin could make CPCs attain the maximum strength value of 2.1 MPa at 15-day immersion, while 1.6 MPa for the cement without gelatin. It is concluded that the presence of gelatin improved mechanical properties of CPCs; in particular, 2 wt.% gelatin. CPCs containing 2 wt.% gelatin hardened in an acceptable time recommended for clinical applications.