Evaluating the Compressive Strength of Calcium Triglyceride–Based Polyurethane Bone Cement Composite: A Biodegradable Spacer Alternative

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Objective: To independently test the compressive strength of calcium triglyceride-based polyurethane (CTP) bone cement under different curing conditions, assess its mechanical stability, compare the findings with manufacturer-reported data, and determine its potential for clinical applications. Material and Methods: This study tested the compressive strength of CTP bone cement using a mechanical compression machine in accordance with an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) protocol. Samples were prepared according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and tested after curing under various conditions: 135 minutes at ambient temperature, 24 hours at 37°C, and 2 months in water at 37°C. Testing was performed using tubular samples measuring 8 mm in height and 12 mm in diameter until the machine reached its 3500-N safety cutoff. A displacement of 4 mm was considered to represent 50% strain. Results: CTP bone cement exhibited stable compressive resistance across all curing phases; the best performance was observed in samples cured at 37°C for 24 hours. The material maintained its compressive resistance after two months in water, demonstrating resistance to rapid degradation under near-physiological conditions. The highest load measured was 3500 N, which was significantly lower than the more than 100-MPa compressive stress reported in the manufacturer’s data at comparable displacements. Conclusion: Discrepancies exist between manufacturer-reported data and independent measurements. Although CTP bone cement demonstrated measurable compressive resistance, its observed performance suggests that it may be better suited to low-load-bearing applications. Independent validation is essential before in vivo or clinical use.