Silane coating process for high alkali bioactive glasses

A method for coating reactive ceramic particles with a coupling agent, comprising:

• a) establishing a substantially dry working environment;
• b) producing reactive glass having a desired particle size;
• c) measuring a desired quantity of the particulate reactive ceramic into a mixing vessel;
• d) heating the mixing vessel and desired quantity of particulate reactive ceramic to about 100 degrees Celsius;
• e) mixing the heated quantity of particulate reactive ceramic;
• f) during e), spraying a predetermined amount of substantially anhydrous coupling agent into the heated quantity of particulate reactive ceramic to define an admixture;
• g) mixing the admixture for sufficient time to define a quantity of substantially evenly coated particles;
• and
• h) heating the quantity of substantially evenly coated particles for sufficient time to evolve excess solvent therefrom;
• wherein b) through h) occur in the substantially dry working environment.

A method of preparing a resin coated particulate ceramic, comprising:

• q) preparing a predetermined amount of pH controlled substantially anhydrous coupling agent by mixing a liquid silane material, alcohol and organic acid;
• r) producing particulate ceramic material having a desired particle size of less than about 53 mesh;
• s) measuring a desired quantity of the particulate ceramic material into a mixing vessel;
• t) heating the mixing vessel and particulate ceramic material to about 100 degrees Celsius;
• u) mixing the heated quantity of particulate ceramic material;
• v) during u), spraying a predetermined amount of substantially anhydrous coupling agent into the heated quantity of particulate ceramic material to define an admixture;
• w) mixing the admixture for sufficient time to define a quantity of substantially evenly coated particles;
• and
• x) heating the quantity of substantially evenly coated particles for sufficient time to evolve excess solvent therefrom;
• wherein q) through x) occur in the substantially dry working environment.