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To precisely determine the mechanical properties of a bone, the effects of the preservation method on its mechanical properties need to be minimized. It seems likely that prolonged exposure to formalin (formaldehyde solution) will have some affect the mechanical properties of bone. This study investigated the effect of the formalin fixation method on the bending properties and fracture toughness of bovine cortical bone after short-term and relatively long-term preservation. To determine the elements and the quantities eluted from bone into formalin solution (the preservation medium), qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Formalin fixation augments the bending stiffness of the cortical bone while diminishing its fracture toughness. As the bending strength diminishes concurrently with removal of Ca 2þ , this implies that inorganic components of bone contribute to its bending strength.

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To precisely determine the mechanical properties of a bone, the effects of the preservation method on its mechanical properties need to be minimized. It seems likely that prolonged exposure to formalin (formaldehyde solution) will have some affect the mechanical properties of bone. This study investigated the effect of the formalin fixation method on the bending properties and fracture toughness of bovine cortical bone after short term and relatively long term preservation. To determine the elements and the quantities eluted from bone into formalin solution (the preservation medium), qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP AES). Formalin fixation augments the bending stiffness of the cortical bone while diminishing its fracture toughness. As the bending strength diminishes concurrently with removal of Ca 2＋ , this implies that inorganic components of bone contribute to its bending strength.

To evaluate the physical properties of a bone, a specimen is often deep frozen or chemically fixed with reagents such as formaldehyde solution (formalin) or ethanol for antisepsis and sterilization. However, formalin contains formic acid and dissolves bone minerals such as Ca and P into the fixative. To suppress bone mineral solution, we used neutral buffered formalin as the fixative solution. In this study, we investigated the effect of formalin and of neutral buffered formalin fixation on the fracture characteristics of bovine femoral compact bone during relatively long term preservation. With both formalin and neutral buffered formalin fixation, bone mineral migrates rapidly into the fixative solution. Thus, formic acid is not solely responsible for the dissolution of bone minerals, but some aqueous solutions such as saline can also dissolve bone mineral. With neutral buffered formalin fixation, small calcium phosphate grains precipitate at the surface of blood vessels in the Haversian canal, as observed by scanning electron microscopy. An energy dispersive spectroscopy also demonstrates the presence of Ca and P. Thus, the precipitated grains are assumed to be hydroxyapatite. In this study we evaluate the effect of formalin preservation, which is to reduce the fracture toughness of bovine femoral compact bone, and to form chemical bridges by the reaction of formaldehyde with the collagen fiber of bone. The collagen fiber was cured and hardened, resulting in a reduction in the fracture toughness of bovine femoral compact bone.

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