Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP)

About This Product

Tricalcium phosphate has the nominal formula Ca3(PO4)2 and CAS number 7758-87-4, though commercial material is usually a calcium hydroxyapatite rather than the exact stoichiometric compound. It is supplied as a fine white, odourless powder, practically insoluble in water and soluble in dilute acid. Anticaking is its most demanding application, and it works by physics rather than chemistry. A hygroscopic powder cakes because moisture condenses at the contact points between particles and forms solid bridges as it dries. TCP is milled to a very fine particle size with a high specific surface area, so a small addition coats the surface of the host crystals, physically separating them and adsorbing the surface moisture before it can bridge. The higher the surface area the less material is needed, which is why grade is specified on particle size rather than only on assay. It is also used as a phosphorus and calcium source in feed and fertiliser, as a polishing agent in oral care, as a ceramic and bone-substitute raw material, and as a tablet excipient. It is used as an anticaking agent in powders and salts, in animal feed and fertiliser, oral care, ceramics, biomedical materials and tablet manufacture. Bio Green Chem supplies TCP to specification on calcium and phosphorus content, particle size, loss on ignition, fluoride, arsenic and heavy metals.