Several types of calcium phosphate/collagen composites, including noncrystalline calcium phosphate/collagen, poorly crystalline carbonate-apatite (PCCA)/collagen, and PCCA + tetracalcium phosphate/collagen composites, were prepared through the mineralization of collagen matrix. The type I collagen was presoaked with a PO43- containing solution and then immersed in a Ca2+ containing solution to allow mineral deposition. The solution of 0.56M sodium dibasic phosphate (Na2HPO4) with a pH of nearly 14 was metastable and its crystallization produced Na2HPO4 and sodium tripolyphosphate hexahydrate (Na5P3O10 . 6H(2)O), leading to a controlled release of orthophosphate ions during the subsequent mineral precipitation. The development of the composites was investigated in detail. The mineral contributed up to 60-70% of the weight of the final composites. The strength and Young's modulus of the composites in tensile tests overlapped the lower range of values reported for bone. When implanted in muscle tissue, the composite showed biodegradability that was partly through a multinucleated giant cell mediated process. In a bone explant culture model it was observed that bone-derived cells deposited mineralizing collagenous matrix on the composite. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, inc.