In cemented arthroplasties, pores are almost invariably present at one or more of the so-called \u27weak-link\u27 zones (namely, the bone-cement interface, the cement mantle and the cement-implant interface). In the clinical milieu, arthroplasties are frequently subjected to cyclical loading. These conditions underscore the significance of the apparent fracture toughness (K(ISR)) of the cement. The present work is an investigation of the effect of three variables on K(ISR) of three commercial formulations of bone cement (namely, CMW®3, Palacos® R and Osteopal®) measured using straight-sided chevron notched short rod specimens. For CMW®M3, the effect of mixing method was studied, with all cement constituents having been stored at ambient lab...