Experimental study on fracture mechanics properties of frozen rabbit aorta

To more scientifically discuss fracture problems associated with cryopreservation of aorta, the effects of temperature, cooling rate and cryo-protective agent on the fracture mechanics properties of frozen rabbit aorta have been investigated with Dynamical Mechanics Analyser (DMA), and the test method for crack criterion of frozen rabbit aorta was also explored. The results show that: As temperature decreasing, the fracture modes of frozen rabbit aorta are from typical ductile fracture to typical brittle fracture, and its resist-fracture ability weakens remarkably from -20 centigrade to -80 centigrade. The cooling rates have no effects on the fracture modes when cooled to -50 centigrade, but the resist-fracture ability of frozen rabbit aorta will be stronger when the sample treated by a higher cooling rate. Due to the hydration action of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), the rabbit aorta permeated by 10% (V/V) DMSO presents typical ductile fracture when it was cooled to -50 centigrade, so its resist-fracture ability is enhanced obviously. Compared to the axial sample, the peripheral sample's resist-fracture ability is larger than that of the former.