Effects of drying on the mechanical properties of bovine femur measured bynanoindentation

Effects of drying on the measurement of mechanical properties of bone by na noindentation methods have been examined. Tests were conducted to measure t he elastic modulus and hardness of two cross-sectional cortical specimens o btained from adjacent areas of bovine femur. One specimen was thoroughly dr ied in air prior to testing while the other was stored in deionized water. The properties of osteons and interstitial lamellae showed statistically si gnificant differences (p < 0.0001) and were therefore investigated separate ly. Drying was found to increase the elastic modulus by 9.7% for interstiti al lamellae and 15.4% for osteons. The hardness was also found to increase by 12.2% for interstitial lamellae and 17.6% for osteons. (C) 1999 Kluwer A cademic Publishers.