Calcium phosphate cements for bone engineering and their biological properties

Calcium phosphate cements （CPCs） are frequently used to repair bone defects. Since their discovery in the 1980s, extensive research has been conducted to improve their properties, and emerging evidence supports their increased application in bone tissue engineering. Much effort has been made to enhance the biological performance of CPCs, including their biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity, biodegradability, bioactivity, and interactions with cells. This review article focuses on the major recent developments in CPCs, including 3D printing, injectability, stem cell delivery, growth factor and drug delivery, and pre- vascularization of CPC scaffolds via co-culture and tri-culture techniques to enhance angiogenesis and osteogenesis.

Mechanical properties of cement mortar in sodium sulfate and sodium chloride solutions

To investigate the mechanical properties of cement mortar in sodium sulfate and sodium chloride solutions, uniaxial compression test and ultrasonic test were performed. Test results show that the relative dynamic elastic modulus, the mass variation,and the compressive strength of cement mortar increase first, and then decrease with increasing erosion time in sodium sulfate and sodium chloride solutions. The relative dynamic elastic moduli and the compressive strengths of cement mortars with water/cement ratios of 0.55 and 0.65 in sodium sulfate solution are lower than those in sodium chloride solution with the same concentration at the420 th day of immersion. The compressive strength of cement mortar with water/cement ratio of 0.65 is more sensitive to strain rate than that with water/cement ratio of 0.55. In addition, the strain-rate sensitivity of compressive strength of cement mortar will increase under attacks of sodium sulfate or sodium chloride solution.

Antibacterial Properties of Nano Silver-containing Orthodontic Cements in the Rat Caries Disease Model

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of experimental nano silver-containing cements（NSCs） using rat caries disease model. Nano silver base inorganic antibacterial powder was added to the reinforced glass ionomer cement at three different weight ratios to obtain a series of nano silver-containing cements, then two orthodontic cement products and three NSC samples were implanted into rat caries disease model, and their antibacterial properties were evaluated by the scanning electron microscope（SEM）. Moreover, the rat caries disease model were established by inoculating cariogenic bacteria S mutans into antibiotics treated rat mouths and feeding with cariogenic diet. The tested materials were bonded on the surface of the buccal half crowns of the upper fi rst premolar, and then fi xed under the rats＇ front teeth lingual side to acquire enough retention. The SEM results indicated that the growth of streptococcus mutans was very active in group of Transbond XT. One month later, S mutans scattered on the GC Fuji ORTHO LC surface, and then the number signifi cantly increased and arranged in chains after three months. In groups of NSC2, NSC3 and NSC4, the number of S mutans presented the downward trend and tended to disperse individually with the increase of silver nanoparticle content. We may conclude that the incorporation of silver nanoparticle enhanced GC Fuji ORTHO LC the adhesion restrain and killing effect to S mutans.

Effect of nitrogen introduction methods on the microstructure and properties of gradient cemented carbides

Gradient cemented carbides with the surface depleted in cubic phases were prepared following normal powder metallurgical pro-cedures.Gradient zone formation and the influence of nitrogen introduction methods on the microstructure and performance of the alloys were investigated.The results show that the simple one-step vacuum sintering technique is doable for producing gradient cemented carbides.Gradient structure formation is attributed to the gradient in nitrogen activity during sintering,but is independent from nitrogen introduced methods.A uniform carbon distribution is found throughout the materials.Moreover,the transverse rupture strength of the cemented carbides can be increased by a gradient layer.Different nitrogen carriers give the alloys distinguishing microstructure and mechanical properties,and a gradient alloy with ultrafine-TiC0.5N0.5 is found optimal.

Effect of carbon nanotube on physical and mechanical properties of natural fiber/glass fiber/cement composites

The objective of this investigation was to introduce a cement-based composite of higher quality. For this purpose new hybrid nanocomposite from bagasse fiber,glass fiber and multi-wall carbon nanotubes（MWCNTs）were manufactured. The physical and mechanical properties of the manufactured composites were measured according to standard methods. The properties of the manufactured hybrid nanocomposites were dramatically better than traditional composites. Also all the reinforced composites with carbon nanotube, glass fiber or bagasse fiber exhibited better properties rather than neat cement.The results indicated that bagasse fiber proved suitable for substitution of glass fiber as a reinforcing agent in the cement composites. The hybrid nanocomposite containing10 % glass fiber, 10 % bagasse fiber and 1.5 % MWCNTs was selected as the best compound.

Resource utilization of slag from desulphurization and slag skimming:A comprehensive recycling process of all components

In order to make the slag from desulphurization and slag skimming(SDSS)to be comprehensively recycled and utilized,a combined process of beneficiation and building materials preparation was proposed to recover iron from SDSS,meanwhile to apply the remaining slag tailings as cement admixture.From this process,three iron-rich products were recovered in stages by clean gravity-magnetic separation,slag tailings were left.Slag powder was prepared by ultrafine grinding of slag tailings.The stability,setting time and cement mortar strength of the slag tailings cements(STC)which were mixed with Portland cement and slag powder were studied respectively.The results showed that a proper overall performance still could be obtained at the slag powder content of 30%.Chemical composition analysis,X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis,metallographic microscope and scanning electron microscope(SEM)analysis were employed to assess the characteristics of the SDSS and the products obtained from the whole process.The results indicated that the three iron-rich products could be used as a raw material for steelmaking and ironmaking and the relatively large amount of calcium silicate(C_(2)S)and tricalcium silicate(C_(3)S)in the slag tailings make the addition of slag powder into the Portland cement feasible.

Effects of Quicklime and Iron Tailings as Modifier on Composition and Properties of Steel Slag

Steel slag had lower activity and much lower hydration rate than cement. Quicklime and iron tailings were designed as modification agent to adjust the composition and properties of high temperature steel slag. The results show that quicklime as modifier can greatly increase the content of cementitious minerals in modified steel slag and also promote the decomposition of RO phases and transformation of MgO in RO phase to f-MgO. After high temper- ature modification with compound modifier of quicklime and iron tailings, steel slag shows the main mineral phases of C3S, C2F and MgFe2O4. The activity index of modified steel slag at 28 days reaches 95.5% when the steel slag is modified by 15% of the compound modifier with the ratio of quicklime to iron tailings equal to 2 ： 1 at 1 350 ℃. Mo- reover, the sample with the modified steel slag exhibits the dense structure of hydration paste and the main hydration products of C-S-H gels and Ca（OH）2 crystals.