Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The extent of microcracking and the morphology of microcracks in damaged bone

  • Papers
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Strain-induced damage in bovine laminar bone has been examined using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). The specimens were loaded in a fluorescein solution, which penetrated the newly formed cracks in the specimen. The microcracking, and the larger cracking, induced by strain were very clearly visible. The microcracking occurred diffusely in regions of high strain (stress), but was particularly obvious in the vicinity of large machined stressconcentrators. The microcracking could be shown not to be artefactual, that is, it was produced by strain, and not by specimen preparation. The microcracking interacted with the structure of the bone, often having a wavy appearance related to the histology. Microcracks seemed to be particularly associated with the most highly mineralized parts of the bone. LSCM is a technique holding great promise for the investigation of the initiation and development of damage in mineralized hard tissues, and other translucent materials.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. W. E. Caler and D. R. Carter J. Biomech. 22 (1989) 625.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. D. R. Carter and W. E. Caler, J. Orth. Res. 3 (1985) 84.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. J. D. Currey, J. Biomech. 22 (1989) 469.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. D. Krajcinovic, J. Trafimow and D. Sumarac, ibid. 20 (1987) 779.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. P. Zioupos, A. J. Sedman and J. D. Currey, in “VIII Meeting of the European Society of Biomechanics”, Edited by P. Belloti and A. Cappozzo Rome (1992) p. 41.

  6. C. L. Chow and T. J. Liu, int. J. Fract. 50 (1991) 79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. D. Krajcinovic, Appl. Mech. Rev. 37 (1984) 1.

    Google Scholar 

  8. P. Ladeveze, in “Mechanics and Mechanisms of damage in composites and multi-materials”, ESIS11, edited by D. Baptiste (Mechanical Engineering Publications, London, 1991) p. 119.

    Google Scholar 

  9. M. H. J. W. Paas, P. J. G. Schreurs, C. W. J. Oomens and J. D. Janssen, ibid., p. 159.

    Google Scholar 

  10. C. A. Pattin, D. R. Carter and W. E. Caler, in “Proceedings of the 36th ORS Meeting”, New Orleans (1990) p. 90.

  11. A. H. Burstein, D. T. Reilly and V. H. Frankel, in “Perspectives in biomedical engineering”, edited by R. M. Kenedi (Macmillan, London, 1973) p. 131.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  12. R. B. Martin and D. N. Burr, “Structure, function, and adaptation of compact bone” (Raven Press, New York, 1989).

    Google Scholar 

  13. H. M. Frost, Calc. Tiss. Int. 44 (1989) 367.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. P. Netz, K. Eriksson and L. Stromberg. Acta Orthop. Scand. 51 (1980) 223.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. A. J. Chamay, J. Biomech. 3 (1970) 263.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. P. Tschantz and E. Rutishauser, Ann. Anat. Path. 12 (1967) 223.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. J. D. Currey and K. Brear, Calc. Tiss. Res. 15 (1974) 173

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. A. J. Sedman, J. D. Currey and P. Zioupos, in “VIII Meeting of the European Society of Biomechanics”, Rome (1992) p. 40.

  19. D. T. Reilly and A. H. Burstein, J. Bone Joint Surg. 56-A (1974) 1001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. J. D. Currey, J. Biomech. 23 (1990) 837.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. J. D. Currey, A. J. Sedman and P. Zioupos, in “VIII Meeting of the European Society of Biomechanics”, Rome (1992) p. 50.

  22. P. C. Cheng and R. G. Summers, in “Handbook of Biological Confocal Microscopy”, edited by J. B. Pawley (Plenum, New York, 1990) p. 179.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  23. R. T. Tsien and A. Waggoner, ibid.in “, p. 169.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  24. H. Francillon-Vieillot, V. De Buffrénil, J. Castanet, J. Géraudie, F. J. Meunier, J. Y. Sire, L. Zylberberg and A. de Ricqlès, in “Skeletal Biomineralization: Patterns Processes and Evolutionary Trends”, Vol. 1, edited by J. G. Carter (Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1990) p. 471.

    Google Scholar 

  25. E. Brouwer, Voeding 13 (1952) 55.

    Google Scholar 

  26. J. D. Currey, Q. J. Microsc. Sci. 101 (1960) 351.

    Google Scholar 

  27. A. Ascenzi, E. Bonucci and D. S. Bocciarelli, J. Ultrastruct. Res. 18 (1967) 605.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. P. Kucera, Folia Morph. 13 (1965) 71.

    Google Scholar 

  29. J. D. Currey and K. Brear, J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Med. 1 (1990) 14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. J. D. Currey, Q. J. Microsc. Sci. 103 (1962) 111.

    Google Scholar 

  31. R. Lakes and S. Saha, Science 204 (1979) 501.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. M. B. Schaffler, D. B. Burr and R. G. Frederickson, Anat. Rec. 217 (1987) 223.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. D. T. Reilly and A. H. Burstein, J. Biomech. 8 (1975) 393.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. J. C. Behiri and W. Bonfield, ibid., 22 (1989) 863.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. W. Bonfield and P. K. Datta, J. Mater. Sci. 8 (1974) 1590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. M. H. Pope and J. O. Outwater, J. Biomech. 5 (1972) 457.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. D. Margel-Robertson, D. Robertson and C. R. Bassett, ibid. 11 (1977) 359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. K. Piekarski, J. Appl. Phys. 41 (1970) 215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. W. Bonfield and P. K. Datta, J. Biomech. 9 (1976) 131.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. D. D. Moyle and A. J. Gavens, ibid. 19 (1986) 919.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of York, Y01 5DD, York, UK

    P. Zioupos & J. D. Currey

Authors
  1. P. Zioupos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. D. Currey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zioupos, P., Currey, J.D. The extent of microcracking and the morphology of microcracks in damaged bone. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE 29, 978–986 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351420

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351420

Keywords

Search

Navigation