Experimental study and analysis of mechanical properties of frozen rabbit aorta by fracture mechanics approach

In order to investigate fracture problems associated with cryopreservation of aorta, experiments were carried out to study the effects of temperature, freezing rate and cryoprotective agent on the fracture mechanics properties of frozen rabbit aorta and a test method for crack criterion of frozen rabbit aorta was developed. Results showed that as temperature decreases, the fracture modes of frozen rabbit aorta changed from typical ductile fracture to typical brittle fracture, the crack was more difficult to grow as temperature decreased, and its resist-fracture ability weakened remarkably from −20 to −80 °C. However, freezing rates had no effects on the fracture modes when sample was cooled to −50 °C, while the resist-fracture ability was stronger when the sample was cooled at a higher freezing rate. Due to the hydration action of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), the rabbit aorta permeated by 10% (v/v) DMSO presented typical ductile fracture when it was cooled to −50 °C, so its resist-fracture ability was enhanced obviously. Compared to the axial sample, the circumferential sampleʹs resist-fracture ability is better because of its larger deformation energy available.