Determination of methyl methacrylate in surgical acrylic cement

A methyl methacrylate cement used in hip surgery as well as in dentistry was identified and quantitatively analyzed for its monomer content in starting materials and in the finished cement by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. IR data indicated that the monomer continued to escape from the product after it had hardened. The presence of 21% methyl methacrylate monomer relative to the polymer was demonstrated at the time the cement normally would be inserted into the body.