Temperature control of a bone cement by addition of a crystalline monomer

The peak temperature reached during the polymerization of a bone cement was reduced by addition of solid N-vinylcarboazole to the powder component. It was also necessary to saturate the liquid component with N-vinylcarbazole to prevent dissolution from the modified powder component on mixing. It is believed that this technique is generally applicable and opens up the possibility of achieving temperature control of bone cements with choice from a range of crystalline monomers.