Instrumented tensile-impact tests of bone

An instrumented pendulum-type impact tester was used to obtain tensile-impact properties for compact bone. Load-time histories throughout impact were recorded. Impact tests on 50 longitudinally oriented fresh-beef-bone samples yielded a proportional limit of 9.6±4.1 ksi (66.2±28.2 MPa), an ultimate stress of 17.6±5.3 ksi (121.3±36.5 MPa) and an energy-absorption capacity of 142±85 in. Ib/in.² (24900±14900 J/m²). A static tensile strength of 14.7±2.8 ksi (101±19 MPa) was obtained from static testing of 24 additional specimens. The tensile-impact strength was 20 percent higher than the static strength. Statistically significant correlations between elastic properties, impact strength and impact energy were found. Bone microstructure and fracture-surface topography were also examined.