Tensile characteristics of ten commercial acrylic bone cements

The mechanical properties of acrylic bone cement, used in orthopedic surger y, are very influential in determining successful long-term stability of a prosthesis. A large number of commercial formulations are available, differ ing in chemical composition and physical properties of both powder and mono mer constituents. In this study, the static and dynamic tensile characteris tics of a number of the most commonly used bone cements (Palacos(R) R, Simp lex(R) P, CMW(R) 1 & 3, Sulfix(R)-60, Zimmer(R) Dough), along with some new er formulations (Endurance(R), Duracem 3, Osteobond(TM) and Boneloc(R)), ha ve been investigated under the same testing regimes. Testing was performed in air at room temperature. Significant differences in both static and fati gue properties were found between the various bone cements. Tensile tests r evealed that Palacos(R) R, Sulfix(R)-60, and Simplex(R) P had the highest v alues of ultimate tensile strength, closely followed by CMW(R) 3, while Zim mer(R) Dough cement had the lowest strength. Fatigue testing was performed under stress control, using sinusoidal loading in tension-tension, with an upper stress level of 22MPa. The two outstanding cements when tested in the se cyclic conditions were Simplex(R) P and Palacos(R) R, with the highest v alues of Weibull median cycles to failure. Boneloc(R) bone cement demonstra ted the lowest cycles to failure. While the testing regimes were not design ed to replicate exact conditions experienced by the bone cement mantle in v ivo, there was a correlation between these results and clinical outcome. (C ) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.