There are several characteristics that put calcium phosphate cements in evidence, like its bioactivity and in vivo resorption. The influence of two milling processes on the morphological properties of the [beta]-tricalcium phosphate powder, [beta]-TCP, and in the mechanical properties of the cement were analyzed. The powder was obtained by solid state reaction of CaCO3 and CaHPO4 at 1050 ºC. It showed high phase purity and absence of toxic elements. The powder was processed in ball mill (A) and high-energy vibratory mill (B), with posterior analysis by SEM and particle size distribution. The powders showed different average and distribution of grain size. Finally, the cement prepared with powder submitted to process (B) showed values of axial tensile strength significantly greater than that prepared with powder submitted to process (A). The milling process (B) is much more efficient than the process (A).
[beta]-TCP; milling; particle size; bone cement
