Properties of bone at low temperatures and its potential as cryostat support material

The ultimate compressive strength, $\text{σ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>f</mtext>}}$, Young's modulus, E, and the integrated thermal conductivity k_T1–T2, of bone have been measured between 20 and 80 K. The two figures of merit indicating the quality for transmission of forces to low temperature apparatus are determined as $\text{σ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>f</mtext>}}\text{/}\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{4–77}}\text{= 42.5 ± 4 Ms m}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}$, and E/k_4–77 = 3.5 ± 0.2 Gs m^?2. According to these figures bone is comparable or superior to the best glass-fibre composites. Some observations on creep strength are added.