Fatigue Crack Propagation Analysis of Bone Cement CT Specimens

During long-term use, bone cement is subjected to repeated mechanical loads and is prone to fatigue crack propagation. The propagation process of these cracks and the strain concentration at the crack tip directly affect the service life of the bone cement and the stability of the implant. Traditional measurement methods make it difficult to fully observe the dynamic propagation of cracks, whereas DIC technology, through high-precision image processing, enables real-time, full-field monitoring of crack propagation.

In this experiment, Haytham DIC technology was applied to fatigue crack propagation testing of bone cement CT specimens. During the experiment, the specimen was subjected to repeated loading, and DIC technology captured the strain changes on the specimen surface during loading through continuous imaging, especially the concentrated strain distribution at the crack tip, successfully achieving the following key objectives:

1. Real-time monitoring of crack propagation: DIC technology precisely recorded the entire process of the fatigue crack from initiation to propagation. Through continuous strain field images, the researchers could clearly see the crack gradually extending from a tiny initiation point into the material, capturing changes in the crack propagation rate and direction.

2. Crack tip strain concentration analysis: DIC technology provided strain concentration data for the crack tip region, revealing the changes in stress distribution around the crack. These data provide a scientific basis for predicting the crack propagation path and further evaluating the fatigue performance of bone cement materials.

3. Material fatigue life assessment: By observing the crack propagation behavior under different stress levels, DIC technology helped the researchers more accurately evaluate the fatigue life of the bone cement, providing reliable data support for its safety and stability in clinical applications.