Fracture characteristics and microstructures at different positions of bovine femoral compact bone

Although research and development of biomaterials, such as an artificial bone, are done recently, it cannot be said yet that research of bones is enough. There is, in particular, still very little knowledge about fracture toughness of bone and the effect of microstructure on fracture toughness of bone. The effects of microstructure, slit introduction direction and slit tip radius on fracture characteristics of bovine compact bone were investigated in present study. On the fracture toughness value, Anterior and Lateral in which indeterminate form of osteons exit were higher than Posterior and Medial in which round form of osteons exist, as well as the case of L-C specimens was higher than the case of C-L specimens. In addition, such a high value is shown as a slit tip radius becomes larger. However, the fracture toughness value is higher in the specimen with fatigue precrack than in the specimen with slit. The difference in the fracture morphology of osteon is observed according to the slit direction.