Correlating crystallinity and reactivity in an α-tricalcium phosphate

In this study, the effect of how variant milling time affects material characteristics of alpha phase tricalcium phosphate powder (alpha-TCP) was studied. Two alpha-TCP batches were separated in small lots and milled for various times for up to 4 h. The resulting milled lots were characterized by measuring their crystallinity, particle size, specific surface area, thermal stability, and heat released during hydration. Mechanical treatment was seen to greatly increase the alpha-TCP X-ray amorphous fraction and heat release during hydration, almost independently of alpha-TCP particle size and specific surface area. Therefore, the results suggest that the formation and presence of an X-ray amorphous phase in the alpha-TCP powder greatly contribute to its reactivity. The exotherm of the powders increases from 103 to 238 kJ/mol after milling. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.