The effect of initial temperature on free radical decay in PMMA bone cement

The effect of varying the initial temperature of the components of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement has been investigated. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to monitor free radical decay during the curing of the cement. Samples cured in saline at 37 degrees C were found to exhibit first-order decay kinetics for the polymerization radicals for approximately one week after mixing. This indicates that the decay did not take place by combination or disproportionation and was probably due to a transfer process. Decreasing the temperature of the bone cement components prior to mixing resulted in smaller decay rates, but still with first-order kinetics. This decrease in decay rate with lower initial temperature may be due to decreased porosity of the cement, possibly due to decreased monomer evaporation. SEM micrographs of the samples were consistent with this change in porosity.