Mechanical Changes in Porcine Cortical Costal Bone Following Fast Neutron Irradiation

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes 2024-12, Vol.217, p.111633, Article 111633
• Main Authors: Galiano, Eduardo, Liu, Jinlu, Ren, Beide
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: breaking strength; cortical bone; costal bone; Fast neutron dose; porcine bone; Young’s Modulus
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2024.111633

We report changes in Young’s Modulus and breaking strength in compact costal porcine bone (Yorkshire breed, n = 9) subjected to escalating doses up to 4.0 Gy of fast neutrons, from a 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction. The mean neutron energy was 233 keV. Decreases in both Young’s Modulus and breaking strength as functions of increasing neutron dose, were observed. •Damage to healthy bone following exposure to ionizing radiation has been well documented for at least seven decades.•Mechanical and structural changes in compact costal bovine (Yorkshire breed, n = 9) subjected to escalating doses of fast neutrons from a 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction, were analyzed.•The mean neutron energy was 233 keV with calculated absorbed doses ranging from 0 to 4.05 ± 5% Gy.•Samples were subjected to Young’s Modulus and breaking strength testing with a Universal Testing Machine (UTM).•Decreases in Young’s Modulus and breaking strength as functions of increasing neutron doses, were observed.