Flexural strength distribution of a PMMA-based bone cement

Polymethylmethacrylate bone cement containing either no added antibiotic or 0.5 g of Gentamicin was prepared and stored either in air at room temperature or in a 37 degree C water bath for 48 h. An additive-free cement stored in air at room temperature was also tested for purposes of comparison. Following storage the specimens were tested in flexure. Weibull statistics demonstrated to fit the flexural strength distribution of all the materials tested with regression coefficients of at least 0.98. The presence of a BaSO(4) radiopacifier markedly reduced the mean flexural strength and increased the data scatter in the air-stored specimens. On the other hand, the flexural strength of both impregnated and nonimpregnated antibiotic increased when those materials were stored in water at 37 degree C, compared with the same material stored in air, as a consequence of the water ingress. The water-stored antibiotic-impregnated cement displayed lower flexural strength, increased data scatter, and a remarkably higher number of weak specimens compared with the antibiotic-free cement. The influence of the load type on the flexural behavior was studied by testing the air-stored specimens in three-point bending and four-point bending. Cements tested in four-point bending resulted in lower flexural strength than that tested in three-point bending. The ratio of mean strength measured in the different load arrangements was satisfactory, as predicted by the Weibull model.