Mechanical properties and apatite-forming ability of PMMA bone cements

The in vitro bioactivity of wollastonite-containing polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) cements was evaluated. Cements were prepared by varying the wollastonite content. Working times of the mixtures, as well as the maximum temperature reached during setting, were evaluated. The bioactivity was assessed by soaking samples in a simulated body fluid (SBF) with an ionic concentration nearly equal to that of human blood plasma. The compressive strength of the cements was also evaluated. Potentially bioactive PMMA cements were obtained by adding more than 20 wt% of wollastonite ceramics. The compressive strength of the cements decreased as the wollastonite content was increased.