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The influence of curing time and environment on the fracture properties of bone cement
M B Watson1, A W Miles, S E Clift
1Medical School, University of Bristol, UK.
Abstract:
Fracture of bone cement at the bone-cement interface is considered to be of significance in the aseptic loosening of orthopaedic implants. The characterisation of the fracture properties of bone cement is influenced by the time and environment in which it is cured. Cement samples stored in air and water at 21 and 37 degrees C for 7 and 21 days were tested using the 'Chevron' test to determine the work of fracture. It was found that the storage temperature and environment had important influences on the fracture resistance of bone cement. In a physiological environment cement appears to take longer to attain a fracture resistance equivalent to that of cement stored at room temperature.