Improving the Flexural Strength Test of Brushite Cement

Abstract

In the investigation of mechanical properties, calcium phosphate cements exhibit large sample-to-sample deviation due to its porous nature, possibility of unhomogenous distribution and small specimen size. This situation generates difficulties for obtaining accurate results and creates an obstacle for testing different composition where only a small batch size is available. In this respect, specimen shape, whether being injected, porosity ratio, surface quality, bearing support design have significant matter on variability in terms of three-and four-point bending test. Therefore, different methods have been studied to reduce variability with a simpler material preparation than common methods on injected and moulded cement. The entire comparison is made with the consideration of three-and four-point bending testing, the eccentric loading error calculation with engineering calculation software “Mathcad 15”, porosity measurement with Archimedes method, microstructure investigation on Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), macro-porosity distribution measurement by Micro CT Scanner.