4. Properties of calcium phosphate biomaterials

4.1 Mechanical properties

Desirable mechanical properties for calcium phosphate bioceramics, as for many materials with orthopaedic applications, depend on the type of use envisaged. One of the major problems is that of stress shielding, revealed during the development of metal prostheses. Renewal of long bones in particular is partly determined by mechanical stimuli. When a medical device, due to its mechanical properties and location, prevents stimulation of neighboring bone tissue, the latter perishes and shrinks: this is the phenomenon of stress shielding. For these applications, the aim is generally to match the mechanical properties of bone as closely as possible (table 4 )