The present invention is directed to an absorbable, conformable composite preform for use in making a solid bone filler which is an absorbable mixture of oppositely charged, solid microparticulate polyelectrolytes encased in a sealed, flexible, absorbable copolyester fabric construct and is capable of undergoing solidification to a solid, integral mass having a modulus of more than about 0.5 GPa upon contact with an aqueous medium. In an alternative embodiment the absorbable copolyester fabric construct is filled with a mixture of a microparticulate zincophosphate glass or glass-ceramic and at least one material carrying both acidic and basic groups on the same molecule.