Analysis of Degradation of Polymer Materials Biopropylene and Polyglycolide-Caprolactone Used in Surgical Sutures

Comparisons between non-degraded sample of BioPP and samples in water and in sodium water solution 0.9% were made. Variations in thermal characteristics and crystallinity are observed due to material degradation. Several deformations of the degraded curve appear to indicate the melting of several types of crystalline lamellae. Measurements were made on white meshes from BioPP and similar variations as for BioPP for surgical sutures were observed. PGLCL degradation is observed: water, the salt, bacteria and the enzymes from the water acts on the amorphous area and initially destroys this area. This phenomenon leads to the initial increase of crystallinity. At higher degradation stages there are variations of the two maxima of PGLCL, PGA (Polyglycolide) maximum showing a faster decrease.