Gamma-radiation effect on morphology and properties of TTCP/DCPA-derived calcium phosphate cement

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the γ-ray effect on the structure and some critical properties, such as working/setting time and compressive strength, of a TTCP/DCPA-based CPC. Experimental results indicate that working/setting time, compressive strength, TTCP-HA conversion rate and morphology of the present CPC are all related to the dosage of γ-ray sterilization. The best γ-ray dosage appears to be 30 kGy which leads to slightly longer setting/working time, the highest TTCP-HA conversion rate and the highest compressive strength. With increasing γ-ray dosage, the morphology of CPC changed from sharp-edged petal-like morphology (non-sterilized and 10 kGy) to globular-like morphology (20 and 30 kGy) to dull-edged coralline-like morphology (40 and 80 kGy).