The formation of stress by acrylic bone cements during fixation of the acetabular prosthesis.

The forces developed by acrylic cement during the final phase of polymerization under conditions that simulate the cement of the acetabular prosthesis are evaluated. Calculations show that forces of 500-1100 N may be reached in a three-point fixational system. The importance of the dimensions of the plastic and the bone and the relevance of the E-moduli are discussed.