Evaluating bone/biomaterial bonding strength - a comparison of different techniques

A study was performed to compare three techniques used in estimating bone/biomaterial bonding strength. These are the `push-out' test, the tensile test, and the compact sandwich (CS) approach. Results suggest that the push-out test is very sensitive to the geometry, material combination, and size of the interfacial area. The tensile test is also significantly influenced by the overall specimen size and interlayer geometry. A mismatch across the interface would lead to an uneven stress distribution along the interface, and result in the dependence of data upon such conditions as specimen configuration and size. The CS approach was unaffected by these factors, thus appeared as a better technique for estimating interfacial strength.