Relations between tensile impact properties and microstructure of compact bone

Standardized human and beef femoral compact bone specimens were tested in tensile impact and the dynamic mechanical properties were determined. The microstructure of 45 beef and 47 human bone specimens were examined histologically to determine if there is a structural basis to account for strength differences in the bone samples. Strong negative correlations were obtained between the maximum stress and the percentage area of secondary osteons in each specimen. For human bone samples, the energy absorption capacity and the modulus of elasticity were also found to have strong negative correlations with the percentage area of secondary osteons present in each specimen. Linear regression equations were obtained describing the impact strength properties in terms of the percentage areas of secondary osteons and cavities in the samples. Fracture surfaces of the tested bone specimens were examined in a scanning electron microscope. Most surfaces exhibited a fairly rough texture indicating a quasi-cleavage type of failure. Fractographic analysis of bone fracture surface was helpful in understanding the micromechanics of bone fracture.