FRACTURE PROPERTIES OF FULLY CURED ACRYLIC BONE-CEMENT

The fracture properties of bone cement are strongly influenced by the complex interactions between the residual monomer and components of th e media surrounding the bone cement. The aim of this study was to elim inate the influence of the residual monomer by fully curing the cement prior to storage in air, water, lipid or Ringer's solution at room or body temperature for up to 18 months. Subsequent mechanical testing i ndicated that initially there was a significant increase in the work o f fracture values for all the samples stored; in the fluid media. With longer-term storage periods a decrease was observed; this was attribu ted to the process of physical ageing. The removal of the residual mon omer eliminated the monomer: lipid interaction, consequently the effec t of the storage in lipid was similar to that observed for the other f luid media.