Evaluation of the Diametral Tensile Strength of β-Tricalcium Phosphate/Polyacrylic Acid Composite Block for the Development of Bone Substitutes

Composite blocks of β-tricalcium phosphate (βTCP) derived from green mussel shells mixed with polyacrylic acid (PAA) solution were fabricated for potential use as artificial bone substitutes. Evaluations were conducted considering various powder-to-liquid ratios, and comparisons were made with a control using commercial βTCP mixed with PAA solution. Parameters such as bulk density, porosity, and diametral tensile strength (DTS) were assessed. Notably, composite blocks with commercial βTCP exhibited higher density and lower porosity than those with βTCP from green mussel shells. Decreasing the powder amount resulted in lower density and higher porosity. The DTS of blocks with commercial βTCP-PAA was slightly higher than those from mussel shells at a 70% βTCP and 30% PAA composition. Decreasing the βTCP powder amount also reduced the DTS value. In conclusion, the sources of βTCP and the βTCP-PAA ratios affected the physical and mechanical properties of the composite blocks.