Various kinds of calcium oxides, carbonates and phosphates were used as the raw materials, and beta-TCP ceramics was fabricated by reaction sintering at 1100 degrees C, and the sinterability, the reaction sintering behavior and mechanical properties of reaction-sintered beta-TCP were investigated. Reaction- sintered bodies using CaHPO4 + HAp consisted of single beta-TCP phase, and bulk density and bending strength increased with extending sintering time. On the contrary, normal-sintered beta-TCP synthesized using CaHPO4 + HAp did not change in bulk density and bending strength with extending sintering time. Reaction- sintered body using CaHPO4 + HAp as the raw materials showed higher bulk density and bending strength than normal sintered beta-TCP. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.