Abstract
The objective in our study was to investigate the biaxial drawing of Poly ((E)-caprolactone) (PCL), a bioerodable polyester that is flexible and elastomeric. PCL films were fabricated using solution casting and melt-pressing methods, and biaxially drawn to draw ratio of 3 X 3. The morphology, mechanical properties and gas permeability changes of the undrawn and drawn films were studied. Results showed that even at the low draw ratio used, a fibrillar morphology developed in the films, interspersed with undrawn material. The tensile strengths of the drawn films were also improved by 50-160%. The solution-cast films have higher gas permeabilities (20-fold), with Knudsen flow character, than melt pressed films. This higher gas permeability was attributed to the presence of microvoids and drawing defects. Permeability was reduced in the melt-pressed films and oxygen was found to permeate three times faster than nitrogen. Biaxial drawing increased the gas permeability slightly but selectivity remained unchanged. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 5855-5864 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Polymer |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 15 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2000 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors appreciate the assistance from Mr Mark Chan Wai Herng for assembling the Biaxial drawing apparatus and the advice from Dr Shieh Jyh-Jeng and Ms Lin Wen Hui on the permeability data analysis. The award of a Research Scholarship by the National University of Singapore to Mr C. S. Ng is also gratefully acknowledged.
Keywords
- Biodegradable polymer
- Characterisation
- Simultaneous biaxial drawing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Organic Chemistry
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry