Improved mechanical properties of acrylic bone cement with short titanium fiber reinforcement

Acrylic bone cements are widely used in total joint arthroplasties to grout the prosthesis to bone. The changes in the tensile properties and fracture toughness of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cements obtained by the addition of control and heat treated short titanium fibers are studied. Heat treatment of titanium fibers is conducted to precipitate titania particles on the fiber surface to improve the biocompatibility of the metal. Control and heat treated short titanium fibers (250 μ long and 20 μ diameter) were used as reinforcements at 3 volume %. X-ray diffraction indicated the presence of a rutile form of titania due to the heat treatments. The tensile and fracture properties were improved by the addition of fibers. Bone cements reinforced with titanium fibers heated at 550^∘C for 1 h followed by 800^∘C for 30 minutes show the largest increase in fracture toughness along with the smallest changes in elastic modulus and needs to be further investigated.     

Factors affecting the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of acrylic bone cement

The aim of this paper is to report a series of experiments investigating the factors that influence the viscoelastic properties of acrylic bone cement. The effects of the brand of cement, the length of time since mixing, temperature, the hydration of the cement, and the influence of fat and or blood in the environment on the creep and stress relaxation behavior of the cement have been studied in laboratory-prepared specimens in tension, compression and four point bending. Although there are significant differences in the viscoelastic behavior of some of the different brands of polymethylmethacrylate based cements, these differences are small by comparison with the major effects that can be exerted by the length of time since mixing and some environmental factors. These effects have important practical consequences, especially with regard to the ability of bench top and theoretical studies to predict reliably the mechanical and viscoelastic behavior of acrylic cement in vivo.     

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 the media surrounding the bone cement. The aim of this study was to eliminate 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 indicated that initially there was a significant increase in the work of fracture values for all the samples stored in the fluid media. With longer-term storage periods a decrease was observed; this was attributed to the process of physical ageing. The removal of the residual monomer eliminated the monomer: lipid interaction, consequently the effect of the storage in lipid was similar to that observed for the other fluid media.     

In vitro study investigating the mechanical properties of acrylic bone cement containing calcium carbonate nanoparticles

A successful total hip replacement has an expected service life of 10-20 years with over 75% of failures due to aseptic loosening which is directly related to cement mantle failure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the addition of nanoparticles of calcium carbonate to acrylic bone cement. It was anticipated that an improvement in mechanical performance of the resultant nanocomposite bone cement would be achieved. A design of experiment approach was adopted to maximise the mechanical properties of the bone cement containing nanoparticles of calcium carbonate and to determine the constituents and preparation methods for which these occur. The selected conditions provided improvements of 21% in energy to maximum load, 10% in elastic modulus, 7% in bending strength and 8% in bending modulus when compared with bone cement without nanoparticles. Although cement containing nanoCaCO(3) coated in sodium citrate also enhanced the energy to maximum load by 28% and the elastic modulus by 14% when compared with control cement, it is not recommended as a factor in the production of nanocomposite bone cement due to reduction in the bending properties of the final bone cement.     

Mechanical properties of a modified acrylic bone cement with etoxytriethyleneglycol monomethacrylate

With the aim of improving some of the disadvantages of the acrylic bone cements, an acrylic bone cement based on polymethyl methacrylate has been modified by substituting different quantities, up to 20%, of the monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA) with the same amount of ethoxytriethyleneglycol monomethacrylate (TEG). The addition of this new monomer decreased noticeably the maximum temperature and increased both setting and working times. Mechanical testing revealed that the introduction of TEG gave rise to a less fragile bone cement by increasing slightly the total deformation without any change in the rest of the tensile parameters.     

Flexural properties of crosslinked and oligomer-modified glass-fibre reinforced acrylic bone cement

The flexural properties of oligomer-modified bone cement with various quantities of crosslinking monomer with or without glass fibre reinforcement were studied. The flexural strength and modulus of acrylic bone cement-based test specimens (N=6), including crosslinked and oligomer-modified structures with or without glass fibres, were measured in dry conditions and after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) for seven days (analysis with ANOVA). One test specimen from the acrylic bone cement group containing 30 wt % crosslinking monomer of its total monomer content was examined with scanning electron microscope (SEM) to evaluate signs of the semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN). The highest dry mean flexural strength (130 MPa) was achieved with the bone cement/crosslinking monomer/glass fibre combination containing 5 wt % crosslinking monomer of its monomer content. The highest flexural modulus (11.5 GPa) was achieved with the bone cement/crosslinking monomer/glass fibre combination containing 30 wt % crosslinking monomer of its monomer content. SBF storage decreased the flexural properties of the test specimens, as did the addition of the oligomer filler. Nevertheless, the addition of crosslinking monomer and chopped glass fibres improves considerably the mechanical properties of oligomer-modified (i.e. porosity-producing filler containing) acrylic bone cement. In addition, some signs of the semi-IPN structure were observed by SEM examination.     

Effect of fiber arrangement on mechanical properties of short fiber reinforced composites

The present paper developed a three-dimensional (3D) “tension–shear chain” theoretical model to predict the mechanical properties of unidirectional short fiber reinforced composites, and especially to investigate the distribution effect of short fibers. The accuracy of its predictions on effective modulus, strength, failure strain and energy storage capacity of composites with different distributions of fibers are validated by simulations of finite element method (FEM). It is found that besides the volume fraction, shape, and orientation of the reinforcements, the distribution of fibers also plays a significant role in the mechanical properties of unidirectional composites. Two stiffness distribution factors and two strength distribution factors are identified to completely characterize this influence. It is also noted that stairwise staggering (including regular staggering), which is adopted by the nature, could achieve overall excellent performance. The proposed 3D tension–shear chain model may provide guidance to the design of short fiber reinforced composites.     

Curing characteristics of acrylic bone cement

Commercial acrylic bone cements are supplied as two components, a polymer powder and a liquid monomer. Mixing of the two components is followed by a progressive polymerization of the liquid monomer to yield a solid mass, a high level of heat being generated during this exothermic reaction. The exposure of bone to high temperatures has led to incidences of bone necrosis and tissue damage, ultimately resulting in failure of the prosthetic fixation. The aim of this study was to determine the thermal properties of two acrylic bone cements as they progress through their polymerization cycles. It was also felt that there was a need to quantify the variations in the curing characteristics as a function of preparing bone cement by different techniques, hand mixing and vacuum mixing. A number of parameters were calculated using the data gathered from the investigation: peak temperature, cure temperature, cure time, and the cumulative thermal necrosis damage index. The results show the temperature profile recorded during polymerization was lowest when the cement was prepared using the Howmedica Mix-Kit I® system: 36 °C for Palacos R® and 41 °C for CMW³® respectively. When the acrylic cements were prepared in any vacuum mixing system there was evidence of an increase in the cure temperature. The main factor that contributed to this rise in temperature was an imbalance in the polymer powder : liquid monomer ratio, there was a high incidence of unmixed powder visible in the mixing barrel of some contemporary vacuum mixing devices. Observing the thermal characteristics of the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cements assessed, it was found that particular formulations of bone cements are suited to certain mixing methodologies. It is vital that a full investigation is conducted on a cement mixing/delivery system prior to its introduction into the orthopaedic market.     

New radiopaque acrylic bone cement. II. Acrylic bone cement with bromine-containing monomer

Bromine-containing methacrylate, 2-(2-bromopropionyloxy) ethyl methacrylate (BPEM), had been used in the formulation of acrylic radiopaque cements. The effect of this monomer incorporated into the liquid phase of acrylic bone cement, on the curing parameters, thermal properties, water absorption, density, compression tests and radiopacity was studied. A decrease of maximum temperature and an increase of the setting time were observed with the addition of the bromine-containing monomer in the radiolucent cement composition. Adding BPEM in radiolucent acrylic bone cements composition results in the decrease of glass transition temperature and increase of its thermal stability. Acrylic bone cements modified with bromine-containing comonomer are characterized by polymerization shrinkage lower than the radiolucent cement. Addition of bromine-containing comonomer in radiolucent acrylic bone cement composition determines the increase of compressive strength. Acrylic bone cements modified with bromine-containing comonomer proved to be radiopaque.     

Incorporation of chitosan in acrylic bone cement: Effect on antibiotic release,bacterial biofilm formation and mechanical properties

Bacterial infection remains a significant problem following total joint replacement. Efforts to prevent recurrent implant infection, including the use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement for implant fixation at the time of revision surgery, are not always successful. In this in vitro study, we investigated whether the addition of chitosan to gentamicin-loaded Palacos R bone cement increased antibiotic release and prevented bacterial adherence and biofilm formation by Staphylococcus spp. clinical isolates. Furthermore, mechanical tests were performed as a function of time post-polymerisation in pseudo-physiological conditions. The addition of chitosan to gentamicin-loaded Palacos R bone cement significantly decreased gentamicin release and did not increase the efficacy of the bone cement at preventing bacterial colonisation and biofilm formation. Moreover, the mechanical performance of cement containing chitosan was significantly reduced after 28 days of saline degradation with the compressive and bending strengths not in compliance with the minimum requirements as stipulated by the ISO standard for PMMA bone cement. Therefore, incorporating chitosan into gentamicin-loaded Palacos R bone cement for use in revision surgery has no clinical antimicrobial benefit and the detrimental effect on mechanical properties could adversely affect the longevity of the prosthetic joint.     

Infrared study of the interaction of acrylic bone cement with bone marrow

Infrared spectroscopy was used for the characterization of some commercial bone cements and investigation of their interaction with bone marrow. The infrared spectra of the cements and their mixtures with bone marrow were recorded after various periods ranging from 1 day to 8 weeks. The quantitative analysis of infrared spectra of the mixtures provided strong evidence that a certain reaction takes place between the acrylic resins and the bone marrow. It was found that the rate of reaction depends on the concentration of the bone marrow and the ageing time. The rate of reaction showed a maximum at 22 and 31 days according to the concentration of the bone marrow and then decreased with ageing up to 8 weeks.     

Effect of copper and nickel coating on short steel fiber reinforcement on microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminium matrix composites

Commercially pure Al base short steel fiber reinforced composites were prepared by stir casting method and poured into a cast iron mould. Steel fibers were coated with copper and nickel by electroless deposition method. The density, hardness and strength of composites increased as compared to matrix alloy. The mechanical properties of these composites were measured and the results were correlated with the microstructure observation. It was found that copper-coated short steel fiber reinforced composites show considerable improvement in strength with good ductility because copper form a good interface between Al matrix and short steel fiber. Nickel-coated steel fiber reinforced composites showed improvement in strength to a lower extent possibly because of formation of intermetallic compound at the interface. The improvement in strength with uncoated fibers and nickel-coated fibers is on the lower side because of formation of brittle intermetallic compounds like Fe₂Al₅ and FeAl₃. Fracture surface of tensile specimen was examined under SEM, which revealed a ductile fracture. Copper coating on steel fiber improved the strength properties while retaining a high level of ductility due to better interface bonding.     

单向短纤维增强泡沫塑料力学性能分析

将Mori-Tanaka方法和修正剪滞模型相结合,给出了单向短纤维增强高密度泡沫塑料的模量预测和应力计算公式,并用建立的考虑不同情况的有限元模型分析了纤维和基体中的应力分布。研究结果表明：理论预测与有限元分析结果符合得较好。采用修正的剪滞理论能够解释单向短纤维增强泡沫塑料的应力传递机制。当泡孔体积分数增加时,纤维轴向应力和界面剪应力会增大,更容易发生脱粘和拉断破坏。纤维端部脱粘或穿过泡孔虽然容易引起局部应力集中,但对整体应力分布影响不大。     

Fiber reinforcement of a biomimetic bone cement

In this study we investigated the influence of electrospun polymer fibers on the properties of a α-tricalcium phosphate/gelatin biomimetic cement. To this aim, we added different amounts of poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) fibers to the cement composition. Fibers enrichment provoked a significant reduction of both initial and final setting times. Moreover electrospun polymer fibers slowed down the conversion of α-tricalcium phosphate into calcium deficient hydroxyapatite. As a result, the final cements were more compact than the control cement, because of the smaller crystal dimensions and reduced crystallinity of the apatitic phase. The compressive strength, σ(b), and Young's modulus, E, of the control cement decreased significantly after 40 days soaking in physiological solution, whereas the more compact microstructure enabled fiber reinforced cements to maintain their mechanical properties in the long term.     

环境湿度对玻璃纤维增强水泥力学性能的影响

通过开展在不同龄期、不同环境湿度下玻璃纤维增强水泥(GRC)试件的抗折强度、抗压强度试验和基体pH值测定,研究了环境湿度对掺加粉煤灰和硅灰等活性矿物掺合料的GRC试件力学性能的影响。结果表明:环境湿度对GRC试件的抗折强度有重要影响,相对湿度越大,随着龄期增加, GRC试件抗折强度降低越严重;在温度60℃、相对湿度95%条件下,经过56 d龄期后,掺有40%粉煤灰和10%硅灰的GRC试件抗折强度比未掺加粉煤灰和硅灰的GRC试件的抗折强度提高48.5%、抗压强度提高23.6%, GRC基体pH值降低6%。在相同的湿度条件下,掺有粉煤灰和硅灰试件的pH值在各个龄期都低于普通硅酸盐水泥试件,说明粉煤灰和硅灰的掺入能降低水泥水化液相的碱度,进而延缓了纤维受侵蚀的速度,显著改善了GRC试件的力学及耐久性能。通过对试验结果进行分析,利用MATLAB软件建立了GRC试件抗折强度和抗压强度与水泥砂浆基体pH值及时间的关系式。      

Preparation and characterization of acrylic bone cement with high drug release

Drug-loaded bone cement is used as an application method to prevent and treat prosthesis-related infection. Despite the commercial availability of drug-loaded bone cement, low release rate of drugs from drug-loaded bone cement may result in the emergence of drug-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci in subsequent deep infection. This work presents a method to control and increase both the drug release rate and total release amounts of drugs for drug-loaded bone cement without losing the mechanical properties of cement. A novel drug-loaded bone cement is also developed by introducing cross-linked poly(methylmethacrylate-acrylic acid sodium salt) particles into bone cement. Capable of increasing the hydrophilicity of the cement and allowing fluids to pass into the cement, the bone cement developed here supplements both the drug release rate and total release amounts of drugs.