We investigate differences in mechanical properties between anatomical regions and
bearing surfaces of cortical bone at the microscale.
Eight samples were prepared from fresh femoral bones, and then loaded onto the
four sides of the anatomical region, including the front, back, inside, and
outside, as well as the axial and radial directions. Nanoindentation testing
was performed on each sample using six indentations to acquire load-depth
curves. The curves were then analyzed to determine the elastic modulus and
hardness of the materials. Statistical analysis was subsequently conducted to
assess the data distribution and variability. Finite element simulation may
have been utilized to establish a more comprehensive mechanical behavior
model.
The mechanical properties of cortical bone varied significantly across various
anatomical regions and bearing surfaces, the elastic modulus and hardness of the
anterior and medial sides were significantly greater compared with those of
the posterior and lateral sides. The elastic modulus in the axial direction
was significantly higher relative to that in the radial direction by 21.94%
. The hardness
increased by 13.3%
.
The elastic modulus and hardness of cortical bone increased
in the same direction, showing a strong positive correlation
(,
).
Under the same conditions, the stresses in the axial direction of the cortical bone
exceeds those in the radial direction.