🔍 Key Findings Summary
- No significant difference in mechanical properties between contoured vs non-contoured SOP-LC rods
- Clamp configuration significantly influenced mechanical performance:
- Single-side clamps → ↑ yield load, ↑ displacement, ↑ bending strength (p < 0.05)
- Alternating-side clamps → ↑ initial torsional stiffness (p = 0.029)
- Clamp slippage was evident only in torsional tests; screw loosening may be torque-dependent
- Mild screw bending and construct offset suggest subtle instability
- Recommends clamp configuration choice based on loading scenario
- Suggests 3.0 Nm torque may be more effective than 2.5 Nm to prevent clamp slippage