Improved Mechanical Properties of Bone Cement by Ultrasonic Vibration

Self-curing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or acrylic bone cement is used extensively in total joint arthroplasty and in the repair of bone defects [1]–[3]. However, the hand mixing of the methylmethacrylate polymer and the liquid monomer entraps air bubbles making the cement porous. This adversely affects the mechanical properties of the bone cement [4]. This has prompted several investigators to improve the mechanical properties of bone cement by reducing the porosity due to air bubbles by the use of centrifugation or by vacuum mixing [5]–[8]. In this study we investigated if ultrasonic vibration during cement mixing could reduce the porosity and improve the mechanical properties of surgical grade polymethylmethacrylate.