COLLAGEN-CALCIUM PHOSPHATE COMPOSITES

There is a widespread clinical need for bone augmentation and replacem ent. The major solid phases of bone are collagen and calcium phosphate and a bone analogue based on these two constituents should have some useful properties, In this review this theme is developed and the prop erties of natural and naturally based composites are compared. Composi tes have been produced by the precipitation of calcium phosphates on t o collagen and a summary of the methods and results from mechanical te sting and scanning electron microscopy are presented. Composites with mechanical properties intermediate between cancellous and cortical bon e have been produced. The review concludes by explaining some of the m echanical properties of the composites, using knowledge of the hierarc hical architecture of bone and results from microscopical examination of the fractured composites.