Studies on biodegradable poly(hexano-6-lactone) fibers. Part 2: Environmental degradation (Technical Report)

Abstract

Poly(hexano-6-lactone) (PCL†) fibers were degraded under environmental conditions, including soil burial, seawater exposure, and activated sludge exposure. The extent of degradation was examined by weight loss, loss of mechanical properties, such a tensile strength and ultimate elongation decreases, and visual observations by scanning electron microscopy. The rate of degradation was found to depend on the draw ratio and crystallinity of the PCL fibers with surface erosion of amorphous regions more readily than crystalline regions. The life-time of highly drawn PCL fibers when exposed to soil burial and seawater was evaluated from the viewpoint of environmental applications. In terms of the degradation mechanism of PCL fiber breakdown, biodegradation seems to be the dominant reaction, that is a hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by enzymes secreted by microorganisms. © 1999, Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston. All rights reserved.