During the implantation process, bone cements are used to fill the space between the implant and the bone, and their long-term mechanical stability is essential for success of the implant. By undertaking static and cyclic loading, the mechanical performance of these bone cements can be established.

ISO 16402 ‘Implants for surgery – Acrylic resin cement - Flexural fatigue testing of acrylic resin cements used in orthopaedics’ provides a guideline for flexural testing of these cements in a laboratory situation. It consists of a method for both quasi-static bend testing and flexural fatigue.