Influence of filler content on static properties of glass-reinforced bone cement

Abstract

A commercial acrylic bone cement was modified by the incorporation of different weight fractions of glass spheres. The influence of the filler proportion on the mechanical behavior was assessed. Composite cements were prepared by replacing part of the powder phase of the cement by an equivalent weight of glass particles, which resulted in an increase in the liquid-to-powder (L/P) ratio of the polymeric matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed an increase in residual monomer content with increasing filler proportion as a consequence of the increase in L/P. Flexural, compressive, and fracture properties of the cement with varying amounts of glass particles were measured. It was found that up to 50 wt% glass particles could be added with significant increases in flexural modulus and fracture toughness. The mechanical behavior was explained in terms of both the reinforcing effect of the filler and the plasticizing effect of the monomer. Glass-filled bone cements displayed superior workability compared with the standard cement, which was attributed to a decrease in the viscosity of the initial mix and the surface characteristics of the glass particles. The observed increase in fracture toughness could be rationalized through the application of proposed mechanisms for toughening of particle-reinforced polymers.

The Properties of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Bone Cement Filled with Titania and Hydroxyapatite Fillers

“…In contrast, the addition of titania fillers to the bone cement caused a slight increase in flexural modulus. This result is in agreement with that in the previous work by Vallo [6] and Kobayashi et al [5] . According to their findings, the elastic modulus increased as the proportion of fillers increased, indicating a gradient transition from ductile to brittle properties.…”

“…This suggests that the flexural strength of the bone cement was reduced due to the increased void content found in the hardened bone cements. This is consistent with the results documented by Kim et al [15] and Vallo [6] . In their findings, a decrease in the mechanical strength with the increase in the amount of inorganic fillers was observed.…”

“…The advantages of these bioactive fillers have been reported by Topoleski et al [4] , Kobayashi et al [5] , Vallo [6] , and Dalby et al [7] . By incorporating bioactive fillers into the bone cement, the mechanical properties such as compressive strength, hardness, and fracture toughness are enhanced.…”

Injectable acrylic bone cements for vertebroplasty with improved properties

“…Similar microstructures have been described for the fracture surfaces of other charged acrylic bone cements. [22][23] …”

Methacrylate and Epoxy Resins Photocured by Means of Visible Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

“…17 The presence of nonreacted monomer can have a plasticizing effect on the polymer, thereby altering the physical and mechanical properties of the hardened material. 23 The postcuring treatment at 120 1C, which increases the chain mobility, increases monomer conversion and reduces the plasticizing effect of the nonreacted monomer on the mechanical behavior of the nanocomposites. 17 Thus, the higher value of compressive strength of samples subjected to a postcuring treatment are attributed to a reduced amount of nonreacted monomer.…”