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Published on: May 10, 2013
Analysis of Selected Properties of Microporous PLA as a Result of Abiotic Degradation
Aneta Tor-Świątek1, Tomasz Garbacz1, Petr Stloukal2
1Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, 36 Nadbystrzycka, Str., 20-816 Lublin, Poland.
Abstract:
In the study, an investigation was made into the hydrolytic degradation behavior of the microporous polylactide (PLA) in the initial stage in three biological buffer solutions with various pH-simulating body fluids in comparison with pure PLA. Studies also include the analysis of selected mechanical properties and physical structures. A microporous PLA was obtained by melt extrusion using a chemical blowing agent. The rate of Mw decrease induced by hydrolysis over 35 days of microporous PLA was roughly comparable to the pure material. The rate of depolymerization was slightly accelerated at an acid pH due to acid-catalyzed hydrolysis at the end of the observed period. The mechanical analysis showed the influence of various pH on the obtained results.
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