Polycaprolactones biodegradability testing

Polycaprolactone (PCL) powders were prepared from PCL pellets using a rotation mechanical mixer [107]. PCL powders were separated by sieves with 60 and 120 meshes into four classes 0-125 ixm, 125-250 o,m, 0-250 jjm and 250-500 jm. Biodegradation tests of PCL powders and... 

Other simple tests include the soil burial test used to demonstrate the biodegradabiUty of polycaprolactone (25), following its disappearance as a function of time, and the clear 2one method which indicates biodegradation by the formation of a clear 2one in an agar medium of the test polymer or plastic as it is consumed (26). The burial test is still used as a confirmatory test method in the real-world environment after quantitative laboratory methods indicate bio degradation. 

In previous publications, we have tested the association of TPS with different biodegradable polyesters polycaprolactone (PCL),2 polyesteramide (PEA),6 polybutylene succinate-adipate (PBSA),7 polybutylene adipate coterephtalate... 

Funabashi, M., Ninomi5ra, E, Kunioka, M. Biodegradation of polycaprolactone powders proposed as reference test materials for... 

Biodegradation of plastics was tested in the compost stored at -20°C, 4°C and 20°C for different periods [152], It was found that biodegradation of cellulose in the compost was almost independent of the storage time and temperature. In contrast, biodegradability of both polycaprolactone (PBS) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) depended strongly on the storage conditions. 

Poly(lactide-co-Z-caprolactone) is a derivative of polycaprolactone, which is a biodegradable polyester used in the synthesis of polyurethane polymers. Drachman et al. placed stents containing the polymer poly(lactide-co-Z-caprolactone) into pig vascular beds to study the effects of the stent on neointimal regrowth. They reported that the paclitaxel releasing stent was able to curtail vascular intimal regrowth and in-stent restenosis at all the time points they tested from 7 to 180 days [2]. However, in studies conducted in other animals it became apparent that arteries did not heal completely following stent-mediated release of paclitaxel [3],... 

Based on current standard testing methods and specifications, several renewable resource polymers may be considered biodegradable, the foremost being starch blends, cellulosic derivatives, polyhydroxyalkanoates and poly(lactic acid). Several new and old condensation polymers based on monomers obtained from fossil resources, such as polycaprolactone and the Bionolle series from Japan (Showa High Polymers) based on suucinic acid, are also acceptable by current standards, as are there blends with natural polymers such as starch. 

Campos et al. [21] studied sisal flber-reinforced TPS and polycaprolactone, both biodegradable pol5miers. Sisal fibers (5% and 10%) were extruded in a twin-screw extruder with TPS/ polycaprolactone (80 20 wt). Films were produced with a single extruder and analyzed by field emission gun scanning electron microscopy, mechanical tests, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The morphology of the composites with 10% sisal fiber content presented an interface... 

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