Effects of bone mineral fraction and volume fraction on the mechanical properties of cortical bone

This study evaluated how bone mineral fraction and volume fraction influence bovine cortical bone strength. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was applied to determine the mineral content of each bovine cortical specimen. The water displacement method was applied to measure pore volume and, accordingly, calculate porosity and bone mineral fraction. Additionally, the mechanical properties of specimens were obtained with a material test system (MTS). This study derives three two-parameter power law functions for Young's modulus, toughness and the ultimate strength of wet cortical bone. Analytical results indicate that the change in volume fraction exerts a stronger influence on the biomechanical properties of the cortical bone than on those of the bone mineral fraction. Results of this study provide a valuable reference for biomechanical research or as reference data for clinical diagnosis.