Viscoplastic Behaviour of PMMA Blends-the Effect of Moisture Absorption

The mechanical properties of a polymeric blend based on PMMA and Poly(butyl methacrylate, methylmethacrylate) were studied. This mixture is the main component of the so-called bone cement used for various biomedical applications. Different types of samples have been prepared with varying the antibiotic content. The compressive stress-strain behaviour has been studied at various strain rates, before and after immersion in water at 37°C, simulating in this way the physiological environment of these materials. Moreover, thermal expansion coefficient tests were carried out in order to check the dimensional stability of the materials examined.