A characterization of polymethylmethacrylate bone cement.

Polymethylmethacrylate cement is characterized in terms of chemical composition, handling characteristics, and physical properties; the dough time, setting time, handling time, and temperature rise were found to be most affected by environmental temperature and kneading of the dough mass. As the set material ages, the residual monomer content gradually decreases and the strength increases. A volume shrinkage of up to 5 per cent was observed. The porosity, which is increased by rapid mixing, may reach 10 per cent. The mechanical properties of the cement approximate those of polymethylmethacrylate denture base material. Some variability encountered in the handling qualities of the cement could be attributed only to the variability of different batches.