title: Tape-casting technique can prepare beta-TCP sheets with uniform thickness and flexibility.
abstract: The objective of this study is to propose a new fabrication technology for bone substitutes. In this study, a tape-casting method was used to prepare flexible beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) sheets. A beta-TCP slurry containing a binder and plasticizer was used in a doctor blade system. The beta-TCP sheet obtained by this tape-casting method was highly flexible, enabling twisting and free-form shaping. The beta-TCP sheet was approximately 0.21 mm thick. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry revealed that the structure of the beta-TCP component in the sheet is the same as that of the original beta-TCP powder. Observation by field-emission scanning electron microscopy showed that the beta-TCP sheet had a flat, microgranular surface. During the early stages, the tensile stress-strain curves of the beta-TCP sheet showed a nonlinear behavior until reaching the point of final fracture. This result was derived from the ductile property of the prepared beta-TCP sheet. In conclusion, a flexible beta-TCP sheet was easily prepared using a tape-casting technique. Fabrication using tape casting offers the advantages of enabling the preparation of ceramic sheets with precise thickness and not requiring expensive fabrication facilities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Materials, Research Institute of Oral Science, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, 2-870-1 Sakaecho Nishi, Matsudo, Chiba 271-8587, Japan. tanimoto@mascat.nihon-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanimoto
authors.forename: Tohru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hayakawa
authors.forename: Kimiya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nemoto
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001843:Bone Cements; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D002516:Ceramics; D017886:Durapatite; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D018583:Pliability; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013997:Time Factors; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001843:Bone Cements; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C485817:beta-tricalcium phosphate; D017886:Durapatite