Palaces R-(R) bone cement was prepared using three commercially available m
ixing techniques, first generation, second generation and third generation,
to determine the mechanical properties and porosity contents of the bone c
ement. The compressive strengths, bending strengths and flexural moduli wer
e expressed as a function of void content. The volume of pores within the c
ement structure was found to be a contributing factor to the physical prope
rties of acrylic bone cement. The lower the volume of voids in the cement t
he better the compressive and flexural properties, hence stronger bone ceme
nt. It was found that the best results were obtained from cement that had b
een mixed using the Mitab Optivac (R) or Summit HiVac (R) Syringe systems a
t a reduced pressure level of between -72 and -86kPa below atmospheric pres
sure, resulting in cement of porosity 1.44-3.17%; compressive strength 74-8
1 MPa; flexural modulus 2.54-2.60 GPa; and flexural strength 65-73 MPa. (C)
2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.