Biodegradability mechanisms and

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) (Fig. 1.16) is an aliphatic polyester polymerised by lactic acid which is made by fermentation of natural raw materials, for example, com starch and sugarcanes. Due to the chiral nature of lactic acid and its effects on the polymer s characteristics, the biodegradability and mechanical properties of PLA can be tailored by varying the proportion of different forms. Meanwhile, PLA can also copolymerise with other monomers or blend with other polymers to improve some properties of the material, eg, flexibility. PLA and PLA-based copolymers are the most popular biodegradable materials for the production of absorbable sutures (Li, 1999) (Fig. 1.16). 

D. Aibibu, Biodegradable and Mechanically Stable Elastic Textile Scaffold ftom a Single Material System (Man-made Fibers Congress). Dombim (11.09.2014). 

Barreto A C H, Esmeraldo M A, Rosa D S, Fechine P B A and Mazzetto S E (2010), Cardanol biocomposites reinforced with jute fiber microstructure, biodegradability, and mechanical properties , Polym Comp, 31, 1928-1937. 

Guelcher SA, Gallagher KM, Srinivasan A, McBride SB, Didier JE, Doctor JS, et al. Synthesis, in vitro biocompatibUity and biodegradation, and mechanical properties of two-component polyurethane scaffolds effects of water and polyol composition. Tissue Eng 2007 13(9) 2321-33. 

An interesting finding is that the sequence length distribution has an impact on the biodegradability properties of TPEEs. In an analysis of structure of aliphatic/aromatic TPEEs, based on PBT and aliphatic polyfbutylene adipate) (PBA), studied by high resolution NMR, it was found that 35-55 mol % of terephthalic acid in TPEEs was suitable from the point of view of biodegradability and mechanical and physical properties [27,28]. 

An ideal polymeric biocomposite both initially mimics the properties of the native bone tissue it is intended to replace and also remodels to form new bone. Consequently, choosing the appropriate individual components within a biocomposite, and the manner in which they are combined, is critical. The individual components must be biocompatible, biodegradable, and mechanically robust. The ideal polymeric biocomposite must be fabricated in a manner that allows... 

---