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Elasticity and Viscoelasticity of Human Tibial Cortical Bone Measured by Nanoindentation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Leandro de Macedo Soares Silva
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Engineering, University of British Columbia, # 309-6350 Stores Road, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
Vincent Ebacher
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Engineering, University of British Columbia, # 309-6350 Stores Road, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
Danmei Liu
Affiliation:
Division of Orthopaedic Engineering Research, Departments of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, 3114-910 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver BC, Canada V5Z 4E3
Heather McKay
Affiliation:
Division of Orthopaedic Engineering Research, Departments of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, 3114-910 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver BC, Canada V5Z 4E3
Thomas R. Oxland
Affiliation:
Division of Orthopaedic Engineering Research, Departments of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, 3114-910 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver BC, Canada V5Z 4E3
Rizhi Wang
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Engineering, University of British Columbia, # 309-6350 Stores Road, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
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Abstract

Bone is a composite material composed of collagen, carbonated apatite mineral, water, and other non-collagenous proteins. The bone structure inside human body is under constant remodelling. The mechanical properties of bone and their dynamic changes during remodelling are crucial to the health and quality of life.

In this study, the elastic and viscoelastic properties of a 73 year-old female cortical bone were investigated at the lamellar level. This was realized by a nanoindentation technique equipped with dynamic loading function. 325 indentations were made in individual Haversian systems and interstitial bone at both dry and wet condition, and under two different loading frequencies. The results showed no statistically significant differences in elastic modulus between Haversian systems and interstitial bone. There were no systematic differences in modulus across the cortex except for a slight drop at the periosteal site. The lamellar structure of both Haversian system and interstitial bone is viscoelastic with water playing a significant role to the properties. When dry bone is re-hydrated, elastic modulus decreases and loss tangent increases.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2005

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