Degradation of Aliphatic Polyesters in the Presence of Inorganic Fillers

G. Chouzouri (1) , M. Xanthos (2)

1 Otto H. York Department of Chemical Engineering
2 Otto H. York Department of Chemical Engineering

Aliphatic polyesters are melt mixed with bioactive fillers and converted into sheets in order to compare their degradation behavior in a phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution as a function of processing method, polymer type, and crystallinity and type of filler. The samples are tested for weight changes, pH, intrinsic viscosity (IV), and thermal and mechanical property changes as a function of time. The study establishes that although the fillers appear to enhance the polymer degradation, they also have an effect on crystallinity after several immersion periods. Intrinsic viscosity measurements show degradation in the form of molecular weight reduction even after short periods of immersion.

Mots clés: tensile stress; Degradation; biodegradable polymers; aliphatic polyesters; polylactic acid; polycaprolactone; poly(1; 4-butylene adipate-co-1; 4-butylene succinate); crystallinity; intrinsic viscosity; elongation; pH; tensile stress.

G. Chouzouri, M. Xanthos. Degradation of Aliphatic Polyesters in the Presence of Inorganic Fillers. Journal of Plastic Film and Sheeting, 2007, 23 (1), pp.19-36. ⟨10.1177/8756087907076599⟩. ⟨hal-00572072⟩