The effect of reinforcement particle size on In vitro behavior of beta-tricalcium phosphate reinforced high density polyethylene; a novel orthopedic composite

β‐Tricalcium phosphate‐reinforced high‐density polyethylene (β‐TCP/HDPE) is a new biomaterial, which was made to simulate bone composition and study its capacity to act like bony tissues. This material was produced by replacing mineral component and collagen soft tissue of bone with β‐TCP and HDPE, respectively. The biocompatibility of composite samples with different volume fractions of TCP (20, 30, and 40 vol %) and two different particle sizes (80–100 and 120–140 mesh size) was examined in vitro using the osteoblast cell line G‐292 by proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production, and cell adhesion assays. Cell–material interaction on the surface of the composites was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of β‐TCP particle size on behavior of the osteoblast cell line was compared between two groups of the composite samples containing smaller and larger reinforcement particle sizes as well as with those of a negative control. In general, results showed that the composite samples containing larger particles supported a higher rate of proliferation and ALP production by osteoblast cells after 3, 7, and 14 days of incubation compared to the composite samples with smaller particle size and control. Furthermore, more cells were attached to the surface of composite samples containing larger particle size when compared to the smaller particle size composites (p < 0.05). This number was nearly equal with numbers adhered on negative control [tissue culture polystyrene (TPS)] and significantly higher in comparison with composite control [polyethylene (PE)] (p < 0.05). Adhered cells presented a normal morphology by SEM and many of the cells were seen to be undergoing cell division. These findings indicate that β‐TCP/HDPE composites are biocompatible, nontoxic, and in some cases, act to stimulate proliferation of the cells, ALP production, and cell adhesion when compared to the control counterparts. Furthermore, β‐TCP/HDPE samples with larger reinforcement particle size were shown to possess better biological properties. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006