Determination of the plasticity of metals by impact indentation of a spherical indenter

The problems of measuring the plastic characteristics of metals are considered. It is shown that the characteristics of materials used to compare their plasticity are not comparable and depend in the different degrees on the values of strain, strain rate, and modulus of elasticity. At the same time, the value of plasticity is more physically substantiated, which is determined by the ratio of plastic strain to total strain. It is shown that one of the optimal methods for measuring plasticity (plasticity index) is indentation. The possibility of using impact microindentation for this purpose is studied and expressions are proposed that allow calculating the plasticity based on the results of a single indentation of a spherical indenter. The specialties of the calculation of strain for this type of testing are shown. It was found that the values of plasticity obtained from the ratios of the depths of the plastic and elastic penetration of the indenter are equivalent to the values calculated from the energy ratios upon impact. Experimental studies have been carried out on metals with different hardness and type of crystal lattice. For the first time, the effect of strain rate, deformation, and impact energy (initial impact velocity) on the calculated value of plasticity when a sphere is impressed with strain rates of ~ 103 s–1 is shown. It is shown that when the strain corresponding to the onset of full plasticity during indentation is reached, the maximum sensitivity of the measured plasticity parameter for various metals is achieved.

MO567PILOT STUDY OF BONE RESISTANCE MEASURED IN VIVO BY IMPACT MICROINDENTATION IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION

Background and Aims Impact microindentation (IMI) is a new technique that measures bone material strength (BMS). Results are expressed as a BMS index (BMSi) which represents the ratio between the IMI distance [penetration of the needle-probe in patient’s bone (mid-shaft tibia)] versus a reference material (polimethylmethacrylate). Method Observational, prospective, single-center study. Baseline IMI (Osteoprobe®, Active Life Scientific, USA) and bone densitometry (iDXA, Lunar Health Care GE) were performed and data collected in the peritransplantation period of kidney transplant (KT) patients from May 2019 to May 2020, following our current clinical bone and transplant protocols. Based on the individual risk of fracture and current Spanish Society of Rheumathology/Nephrology guidelines, antirresorptive treatment (bisphosphonates or denosumab) was added on top of calcium and vitamin D supplements. We hereby present preliminary results of the control IMI performed 6 months after KT. Results Baseline IMI was performed in 45 patients, 62% men, 56±14 y/o, and a BMI of 24.9±3.5 kg/m2, reasonably controlled for classical serum bone mineral parameters. 70% were on dialysis prior to KT, 20% were diabetic, and 33.3% of women suffered from early menopause. 15.9% had a history of previous fragility fracture, 13% had a parent history of hip fracture, and 14% fell more than twice during the last year. Mean baseline FRAX® (https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/FRAX/tool.aspx?lang=sp) for a major osteoporotic fracture and hip were 4.3% and 2.3%, respectively. Baseline lumbar, femoral neck, hip and ultradistal radius DXA T-score were respectively -0.9, -1.7, -1.5, -2.0 SD. Mean BMSi was 78.5±7.6. Osteopenic/osteoporotic patients had a significantly lower BMSi than those who were not (76.3 vs 83; r = 0.37; p = 0.012). A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between BMSi and the trabecular bone score [(TBS), r = 0.346 ; p = 0.036). On a visual-analogic scale of pain, puncture was rated on average 1.1±1.6 over 10 (82% 0-2). 37.2% of patients began bisphosphonates (alendronic acid) and 9.3% denosumab. Control IMI was performed at 6 months in 24 patients, with a mean BMSi of 76.9±10.5. Mean difference between baseline and 6 months BMSi in this subgroup was 1.18±11.5. The group of patients treated with antiresorptives showed on average an increase in BMSi at 6 months, compared with a decrease in the control group (+5.2 vs -5.3; p = 0.054). Conclusion IMI is a technique with excellent tolerance that may offer complementary information on bone quality in the global assessment of bone resistance. IMI may allow the detection of EARLY changes in bone resistance in corticosteroid-treated KT patients with/without antiresorptives added to prophylactic treatment with calcium and vitamin D.

Bone Material Strength index as measured by Impact Microindentation is low in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Context In primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) bone mineral density (BMD) is typically decreased in cortical bone and relatively preserved in trabecular bone. An increased fracture rate is observed however not only at peripheral sites but also at the spine, and fractures occur at higher BMD values than expected. We hypothesized that components of bone quality other than BMD are affected in PHPT as well. Objective To evaluate bone material properties using Impact Microindentation (IMI) in PHPT patients. Methods In this cross-sectional study, Bone Material Strength index (BMSi) was measured by IMI at the midshaft of the tibia in 37 patients with PHPT (28 women), 11 of whom had prevalent fragility fractures, and 37 euparathyroid controls (28 women) matched for age, gender and fragility fracture status. Results Mean age of PHPT patients and controls was 61.8±13.3 and 61.0±11.8 years, respectively, p=0.77. Calcium and PTH levels were significantly higher in PHPT patients but BMD at the lumbar spine (0.92±0.15 vs 0.89±0.11, p=0.37) and the femoral neck (0.70±0.11 vs 0.67±0.07, p=0.15) were comparable between groups. BMSi however was significantly lower in PHPT patients than in controls (78.2±5.7 vs 82.8±4.5, p<0.001). In addition, BMSi was significantly lower in 11 PHPT patients with fragility fractures than in the 26 PHPT patients without fragility fractures (74.7±6.0 vs 79.6±5.0, p=0.015). Conclusion Our data indicate that bone material properties are altered in PHPT patients and most affected in those with prevalent fractures. IMI might be a valuable additional tool in the evaluation of bone fragility in patients with PHPT.