Mechanical Material Properties of Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for Medical Applications

Thomas Thielen; Stefan Maas; Arno Zuerbes; Danièle Waldmann; Jens Kelm

doi:10.3139/120.110029

Published by De Gruyter May 26, 2013

Mechanical Material Properties of Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for Medical Applications

Mechanische Materialeigenschaften von Polymethylmethacrylat (PMMA) für medizinische Einsatzmöglichkeiten

Thomas Thielen , Stefan Maas , Arno Zuerbes , Danièle Waldmann and Jens Kelm

From the journal Materials Testing

https://doi.org/10.3139/120.110029

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Abstract

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) also known as bone cement is a frequently used material for medical applications. This study investigated the material properties of the bone cement Palacos R. Flexural, tensile, and compression tests on Palacos R, following common standard, revealed typical brittle material behaviour with high compression (83 MPa) by rather low tension stress (35 MPa). No significant difference was measured between dry stored and 37°C saline solution stored specimens regarding tensile, compression and flexural properties. As bone cement can be considered as a visco-elastic material, additional tests under varied strain rates revealed an increasing Young's modulus and ultimate strength of Palacos R with increasing strain rate. To evaluate long-term load-cycling behaviour an S-N curve was determined. The material parameters of Palacos R may help to predict and evaluate failure of bone cement and improve its medical application.

Kurzfassung

Polymethylmethacrylat (PMMA), in der Medizin auch bekannt als Knochenzement, ist ein häufig verwendeter Werkstoff in klinischen Anwendungen. In dieser Arbeit wurden die mechanischen Materialeigen- schaften eines der am häufigsten verwendeten Knochenzemente — Palacos R — untersucht. Biege-, Zug- und Druckprüfungen nach der Kunststoffprüfnorm ergaben hohe Druckfestigkeiten (83MPa) bei eher geringer Zugfestigkeit (35MPa), typisch für einen spröden Werkstoff. Es ergaben sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede in den Festigkeiten bezüglich einer Lagerung in 37°C Ringerlösung, verglichen mit einer trockenen Lagerung. Mit steigender Dehngeschwindigkeit konnte eine Erhöhung des E-Moduls und der Zugfestigkeit beobachtet werden, was typisch für einen viskoelastischen Werkstoff ist. Anhand des Wöhlerversuchs wurde die Schwingfestigkeit des Werkstoffs ermittelt. Die somit gewonnen, mechanischen Materialparameter des Palacos R sollen eine Hilfestellung in der medizinische Verwendbarkeit geben.

Dipl.-Ing. (MSc) Thomas Thielen studied Civil Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences Trier from 2000 to 2004. Since his additional studies for the Master of Science in Civil Engineering’ at the University of Portsmouth, England, in 2005, he is doctoral student at the University of Luxembourg. In co-operation with the Orthopaedic Department of the Saarland University Hospital he investigates and improves the properties of hip interims prostheses (spacers).

Professor Dr.-Ing. Stefan Maas started after high school in 1982 his Mechanical Engineering studies at the University of Kaiserslautern and achieved his doctoral degree in 1991. The gained his professional experience in a small and medium enterprise as development and production engineer and finally as head of the respective department. Since 1999, he is Professor at the University of Luxembourg (previously Institut Supérieur de Technologie) in the fields of Construction, Mechatronics and Rational Energy Usage.

Professor Dr.-Ing. Arno Zuerbes achieved his doctoral degree in 1992 after his Mechanical Engineering studies at the University of Kaiserslautern. From 1992 to 2002 he was development engineer and after this head of testing department in the industrial company BOMAG, Boppard. Since 2002, he is Professor at the University of Luxembourg (previously Institut Supérieur de Technologie) in the fields of Machinery Parts and Measurement Technologies.

Assistant Professor Dr.-Ing. Danièle Waldmann achieved her doctoral degree in 2000 at the University of Kaiserslautern after her studies in the department Solid Building and Building Construction. From 2000 to 2003 she worked at the company Eurobeton S.A. in Luxembourg. Since 2003, she is Assistant Professor at the University of Luxembourg in the fields of Reinforced Concrete, Armored Concrete and Static Structures.

Dr. med. Jens Kelm ist Assistant Medical Doctor at the Orthopaedic Department of the Saarland University Hospital in Homburg/Saar, Germany. His research interests cover the antibiotics deliverance and the anti-microbiological effects of PMMA hip spacers.

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Published Online: 2013-05-26

Published in Print: 2009-04-01

Mechanical Material Properties of Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for Medical Applications

Abstract

Kurzfassung

References

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