Push-Out Test

This test configuration is used to evaluate the mechanical stability of a cylindrical plug (bone filler, osteochondral core, cartilage construct) after implantation. After sample preparation (normally a large cylindrical disk with the cylindrical plug at its center) and proper attachment in a sample holder, a flat-ended rod mounted on a mechanical tester pushes the plug out of the sample at a predefined strain rate. This test provides quantitative information (stress-to-failure) about the mechanical integration of the plug and its interfacial strength.