Abstract
An investigation was conducted to determine the general physical characteristics of self‐curing acrylic resin systems in terms of their potential utilization in total hip arthroplasty.
Exothermic temperature, working and setting times were monitored with thermocouples placed in acrylic masses insulated via a Teflon mold. Mechanical strengths were run in an Instron testing machine. The same trends were noted in all systems studied.
As thickness or mass increased, the maximum temperature and the setting time increased. As the powder to liquid ratio increased (thereby relatively less liquid), the maximum temperature, set times and dough times decreased, while the working time was essentially unaffected. As the ambient temperature decreased, the maximum temperature decreased while the dough, working and setting times increased.
The mechanical strengths of the systems cured at one atmosphere are low compared to high temperature and pressure curing. Flowability of the materials decreases quickly as final set time is approached.
Although trends are similar in many self‐curing acylic systems minors shifts in complex proprietary compositions can produce a wide span or working and setting times. Because the surgical team controls such parameters as the mass employed, the amount of liquid introduced, and the ambient temperature it is important that they continuously re‐evaluate their handling procedures particularly if new acrylic cements would be introduced.