Compressive properties of commercially available PVC foams intended for use as mechanical models for human cancellous bone

Abstract

Compressive properties of three commercially available rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foams intended for use as possible model material for human cancellous bone were investigated. Quasi-static compression tests were performed on PVC foam blocks of different densities (0.10, 0.13 and 0.20 g/cm3) with a crosshead speed of 0.15 mm/sec to determine the compressive Young’s modulus, the yield strength and the energy absorbed until yield. The results were compared with data obtained on human cancellous bone and polyurethane (PUR) foams. Results showed that according to their Young’s modulus and yield strength the investigated 0.1 and 0.13 g/cm3 PVC foams are suitable as mechanical model material for Osteoporotic cancellous bone, while 0.20 g/cm3 PVC foam is suitable as model material for normal bone. According to the energy absorbed until yield the 0.10 g/cm3 PVC foams are suitable as mechanical model material for Osteoporotic(OP) cancellous bone. For the modeling of normal bone both the 0.13 and 0.20 g/cm3 PVC foams are suitable. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the examined PVC foams may prove suitable as a model material for OP and normal cancellous bone.