title: Validation of the small-punch test as a technique for characterizing the mechanical properties of acrylic bone cement.
abstract: This paper examines the validity of using the small-punch test technique as a means of quantifying the mechanical properties of acrylic bone cement under different test conditions. The elastic moduli calculated using the small-punch test method were compared with data measured using the international standard for acrylic bone resin, ISO 5833. Conclusions from the study indicate that the small-punch test is a reproducible miniature specimen test method that can be used to characterize the mechanical properties of retrieved acrylic bone cement as used in total joint replacement surgery. Moreover, the test conditions were found to influence the elastic modulus of acrylic bone cement. The test temperature had a greater effect on the elastic behaviour of the bone cement than the test medium.
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland. n.dunne@qub.ac.uk
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Dunne
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Buchanan
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Orr
mesh_terms: D001843:Bone Cements / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004548:Elasticity; D006245:Hardness Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards; D016062:Porosity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate