LAUSR

Abstract The bone remodeling research field has shifted focus towards sustainable, eco-friendly and reproducible manufacturing technologies of 3D structures. It is now accepted that a suitable internal architecture and an active interface between the 3D structure and host bone-tissue constitute the two most critical traits for a successful bone tissue engineering application. A completely reproducible synthesis set-up was recently developed for calcium phosphate (CaP) bioceramics preparation from natural highly available marble and seashells. The influence of the pressing force in the fabrication process of porous 3D scaffolds derived from such CaPs by a sacrificial porogen method using natural fibers is here investigated. The fiber-ceramic based-products underwent thermal processing, followed by surface and volume features characterization. After fibers` thermal removal, interconnected 3D channels were obtained, which could allow a suitable in vivo irrigation and implant-associated negative side-effects prevention. This method provides the prospect of tunable HA/β-TCP content in the case of both precursors' derived-scaffolds. The morphological results revealed the internal and external pores dimensions, modulated through different pressing forces that led to a controlled total porosity, evidenced by computed tomography techniques. Further, the wettability and mechanical features supported the advance of the novel porous-ceramic-structure designs as reliable bone reconstruction alternatives.