Nanocalcium sulfate-tricalcium silicate composite presents increased
mechanical strength functional as a bone grafting material
A. Hendel, D. Nguyen, P. Bush, M. Swihart, and R. Dziak
Abstract
Methods
Objectives: A novel nano sized form of calcium
sulfate (nCS) has been fabricated for potential
use as a bone graft for craniofacial defects.
Current research reveals that calcium
sulfate+tricalcium silicate composites display
improved mechanical strength versus calcium
sulfate alone. By incorporating nCS material
with tricalcium silicate, we hoped to see similar
enhanced effects.
nCS was fabricated within the lab and was
formed into pellets as a control as well as with
10% and 20% of tricalcium silicate.
Results
Results (cont’d)
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and
energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX)
analyses confirmed the homogeneity of the
composites.
A. EDX data of pure Tricalcium Silicate pellet
B. EDX data of nCS + 10% Ca3SiO5 composite
Tricalcium
Silicate
nCS
Methods: nCS was formed into pellets as a
control as well as with 10% and 20% of
tricalcium silicate. These pellets were tested
using the Humboldt needle for setting times,
the Vicker's Hardness test, EDX and SEM.
Results: SEM and EDX analyses confirmed the
homogeneity of the composites. The tricalcium
silicate material exhibited improved strength at
20% with decreased setting time.
Results
C. EDX data of nCS + 20% Ca3SiO5 composite
D. SEM image of 100% nCS formed pellet
with DI water at 10k view
E. SEM image of 100% Ca3SiO5 formed pellet
with DI water at 10k view
nCS
nCS (300mg)
DI water (300µL)
Ca3SiO5
Ca3SiO5 (100mg)
DI water (100µL)
Element
Intensity
(c/s)
Atomic %
Atomic
Ratio
Ca
159.65
20.764
0.2781
Si
27.61
4.574
0.0613
O
29.28
74.662
1.0000
The tricalcium silicate material exhibited
improved strength when composing 20% of the
composite. It also decreased the setting time at
10%.
F. Vickers hardness test. Data are expressed
as the mean ± SEM with n = 3 samples per
group. * p < 0.05 versus nCS only control.
Biodentine, a commercially available
tricalcium silicate, was used in these
studies
G. Initial and final setting time data of nCS
and nCS+Tricalcium Silicate composites at
10% and 20%. Data is expressed as the
mean where n=2.
nCS Setting Time
Initial Setting Time
Final Setting Time
120
100
Conclusion: Tricalcium silicate can enhance the
physical properties of nCS. The results suggest
the potential success of the composite as a
bone graft at sites where increased physical
strength is needed.
nCS+10% Ca3SiO5
nCS (270mg)
nCS (270mg)
DI water (300µL)
TIME (MIN)
80
nCS+20% Ca3SiO5
nCS (270mg)
nCS (270mg)
DI water (300µL)
Element
Intensity
(c/s)
Atomic %
Atomic
Ratio
Ca
149.67
10.849
0.1396
Si
14.72
1.250
0.0161
O
78.24
77.699
1.0000
S
147.82
10.202
0.1313
40
20
0
nCS
nCS + 10% Ca3SiO5
nCS + 20% Ca3SiO5
ConclusionConclusion
Incubator
Introduction
▪ A nano-sized form of calcium sulfate has been
a popular focus for researchers who are
aiming to idealize current bone grafting
materials on the market.
▪ Previous studies show that a traditional sized
calcium sulfate material+tricalcium silicate
composite has decreased the unfavorably fast
degradation rate of calcium sulfate and well as
increased the bioactivity of the composite.1
▪ To further investigate the effect of tricalcium
silicate, we analyzed the homogeneity, setting
time, and strength with nCS.
60
• Tricalcium silicate can enhance the
Element
Intensity
(c/s)
Atomic %
Atomic
Ratio
Ca
162.58
9.655
0.1199
Si
16.62
1.176
0.0146
O
108.26
80.552
1.0000
S
150.64
8.617
0.1070
physical properties of nCS when a
composite is set.
• The results show the potential success of
the composite in the clinical setting.
ReferencesReferences
1. Hao, F., Qin, L., Liu, J., Chang, J., Huan, Z., & Wu, L. (2018).
Setting time
analysis
using a
Humboldt
needle
Victor’s
Hardness
test
humboldt MFG. CO. Needle Details
Final Setting
Initial Setting
•1.06mm diameter
•2.12mm diameter
•1 lb or 453.6 g
•113.4g
SEM and
EDX
Analysis
Assessment of calcium sulfate hemihydrate–Tricalcium silicate
composite for bone healing in a rabbit femoral condyle
model. Materials Science & Engineering C, 88, 53-60.
doi:10.1016/j.msec.2018.02.024
2.He, X., Dziak, R., Mao, K., Genco, R., Swihart, M., Li, C., &
Yang, S. (2012). Integration of a novel injectable nano calcium
sulfate/alginate scaffold and BMP2 gene-modified
mesenchymal stem cells for bone regeneration. Tissue
engineering. Part A, 19(3-4), 508–518.
doi:10.1089/ten.tea.2012.0244