Abstract
The objective of this study was to use the dynamic nanoindentation method to determine viscoelastic properties such as storage modulus and loss tangent of single osteons and interstitial lamellae of rat femoral cortical bone tissue at the microstructural level in a longitudinal direction. The effects of mineral, organic and water contents of bone specimens on viscoelastic properties at the macroscopic level were also investigated. The storage moduli of osteons were significantly lower than those of interstitial lamellae, however, the loss tangents of osteons were higher than those of interstitial lamellae of bone tissues. A correlation was found between the storage modulus and mineral content of rat cortical specimens. Likewise, a linear correlation was also demonstrated between the loss tangent and the organic and water contents of specimens.
