ABSTRACT
Objective To test the validity for mechanical equation of the TC4 self-tapping bone screw and analyze the influence of bone screw parameters on its mechanical properties. Methods In order to derive the equation of self-tapping and pull-out for bone screw, the physical model of bone screw-polyurethane foam block was built. By reference of ASTMF543-07 standard specification and test method for metallic medical bone screw, the mechanical verification tests of selected conical head shallow thread locking bone screw (HAZ) and conical head deep thread locking bone screw (HBZ) with different diameters were performed on Instron E3000 mechanical testing machine, and the data of self-tapping force, self-tapping torque and pull-out force from 5 groups of bone screws were tested respectively. Results The calculated and measured values were basically the same, except for a few points with large individual errors. The average error of the two values was 11.02%, so the theoretical calculation formula was highly credible. The bone screw with a larger diameter or a higher tooth height would require greater self-tapping force and pull-out force. Conclusions The research results provide the calculation basis for mechanical properties of bone screw and the research direction for optimization and improvement of bone screw in future.