Analysis of the Effect of Component Ratio Imbalances on Selected Mechanical Properties of Seasoned, Medium Viscosity Bone Cements.

The paper presents the results of experimental strength tests of specimens made of two commercially available bone cements subjected to compression, that is a typical variant of load of this material during use in the human body, after it has been used for implantation of prostheses or supplementation of bone defects. One of the factors analysed in detail was the duration of cement seasoning in Ringer's solution that simulates the aggressive environment of the human body and material degradation caused by it. The study also focused on the parameters of quantitative deviation from the recommended proportions of liquid (MMA monomer, accelerator and stabiliser) and powder (PMMA prepolymer and initiator) components, i.e., unintentional inaccuracy of component proportioning at the stage of cement mass preparation. Statistical analysis has shown the influence of these factors on the decrease in compressive strength of the cements studied, which may be of significant importance in operational practice.