Dynamic nanoindentation of articular porcine cartilage

Articular cartilage is a poroelastic (biphasic) material with a complex deformation behavior, which can be considered elastic–viscoelastic. In this article, articular porcine cartilage is tested in vitro using dynamic nanoindentation and is analyzed using the frequency domain. The testing and data analysis are presented as a function of the strain rate and frequency, which allows for the results to be compared for various load amplitudes over the same frequency range. In addition, a new approach to correct the contact area during dynamic nanoindentation is presented and the effects of sample freezing on the mechanical properties are also discussed.