What is polycaprolactone?
Polycaprolactone, abbreviated as PCL, is a semi crystalline polymer and a completely degradable material. Polycaprolactone can be classified into pharmaceutical grade and industrial grade in the form of powders, particles, and microspheres. The conventional molecular weights are 60000 and 80000, and higher or lower molecular weights can also be customized.
Polycaprolactone has low temperature requirements and can be molded at low temperatures. It has excellent adhesion and good compatibility with a variety of polymers. Its most attractive feature is non-toxic and biodegradable. It is precisely because of its high characteristics that it is widely used in various fields, especially in the medical field. Let’s take a look at the properties of PCL?
Properties of polycaprolactone:
| CAS | 24980-41-4 |
| Appearance | Powder, particles |
| MF | C6H10O2 |
| MW | 114.1424 |
| EINECS No. | 207-938-1 |
| Melting point | 60±3 |
| Density | 1.1±0.05 |
| Melting point | 60±3 |
| Whiteness | ≤70 |
| Melt mass flow rate | 14-26 |
| Synonym | PCL; Ploycarprolactone; PolycaprolactoneStandard(Mw2,000); PolycaprolactoneStandard(Mw4,000); PolycaprolactoneStandard(Mw13,000); PolycaproChemicalbooklactoneStandard(Mw20,000); PolycaprolactoneStandard(Mw40,000); PolycaprolactoneStandard(Mw60,000); PolycaprolactoneStandard(Mw100,000) |
After understanding the characteristics of polycaprolactone above, we have come to the question that we are all concerned about. That is, what can polycaprolactone be used for?
What can polycaprolactone be used for?
1. Medical aspects
It can be used for suture in surgery and can be absorbed by the human body. It can also be used in orthopedic splints, resin bandages, 3D printing, and other aspects. In addition, it is also the main ingredient of “Maiden Needle”.
2. Polyurethane resin field
In the field of polyurethane resin, it can be used in coatings, inks, hot melt adhesives, non woven fabric adhesives, shoe materials, structural adhesives, etc. Most coatings are used as automotive primers, surface coatings, and various building materials coatings. Due to its better heat resistance, light resistance, and aging resistance, it is also widely used in artificial leather.
3. Food packaging materials
Due to its degradability, polycaprolactone can also be used in blow molding films and food packaging boxes. Due to its remarkable heat resistance effect, it can be used as packaging boxes, which not only protects the environment, but also ensures safety.
4. Other fields
Handmade models, organic colorants, powder coatings, plastic modifications, etc., can also be used in adhesives.
What is the prospect of polycaprolactone?
Although polycaprolactone is widely used, its development prospects are also a key issue of concern. First of all, we have learned that polycaprolactone has the characteristics of complete degradation. With the development of society, people’s awareness of environmental protection has increased, and the use of biodegradable plastics is urgent. Therefore, polycaprolactone has great utilization value in medical, manufacturing, and industrial aspects, and PCL alone can take the lead in many materials.With the advancement of medical technology, 3D printing technology is becoming increasingly mature. It is commonly used in the medical field as a tissue engineering scaffold material that can be absorbed and excreted by the human body. As a representative of newly developed biodegradable materials, polycaprolactone has a good development prospect, and the demand will be increasing. I hope this article is helpful to you.
Post time: Mar-17-2023